Minnesota is very strict regarding law enforcement powers. Very few people can issue a citation, however, everyone can make a citizen’s arrest for a public offense that occurs in their presense. Thus, if you actually witness a violation you could arrest a person untill law enforcement arrives (if you do this you better be sure there is a violation, if you are wrong you can be sued for false arrest), you then sign a citizen’s arrest form and if the issue goes to trial you are a witness. While, this process is legal I would not reccommend it. (CO’s have one of the most dangerous jobs in law enforcement).

However, you don’t have to call TIP. If you see a violation you can call to law enforcement authority for where you are, generally the sheriff’s office, and tell them you are witnessing a violation and report it. (Cell phones make this much easier.) You could also tell them you are willing to make a citizen’s arrest (essentially telling the dispatcher you will sign the form and testify to the violation in court, not actually physically making an arrest as discussed earlier, this is helpful because police officers generally cannot issue a citation unless they see a violation or have a citizen arrest.) Even if you do not want to make a citizen’s arrest, providing very specific information to the police, including the violation, how you know of the violation (saw them while in a boat 50 ft away, saw them at the landing, watched them with bionaculars etc. . . ) description of the violators, description of the boat or vehicle they left in, and contact info for yourself; can provide police with probable cause to stop and search the violators. If the police are not able to intercept the violator, the information may be pasaed on the a CO who will investigate it. I know of CO’s writing search warrants for cases as simple as a person who shined a deer, I’m sure if you see a gross violation, they will follow up on it, least doing a knock and talk at the violator’s house. Fortuantly, lots of the cops in this state do hunt and fish and know these laws even if that is not their normal assignement (like CO’s) they do have the authority to enforce them and will. Unfortuantly, officer’s often do not call reporting persons back to tell them the results, if you report something and don’t hear back call in later and find out what happened.

To expand on your idea, what I’m suggesting is a “neighborhood watch” for our lakes and rivers!