I’ve been out fishing now a lot and have done really well with the eyes for the month of June, but one thing I am really starting to get upset about is the water quality of the metro lakes. I am sure with all the money we give the < MN DNR> that something is in the works and sure it would take a little time to get these lakes to a decent water quality level and some lakes are sure to be better and or worse than others. The other day me and my brother went to a favorite lake and caught the first fish of the day, and I had it right to the boat with no less than a foot to 6 inch’s before you could even tell it was a walleye. Would be nice to start an effective program with reachable / attainable goals to get the water to certain standards not this oh well attitude, it is what it is stuff. And this go’s to everyone out their- last year ice fishing out on Prior lake I was so disgusted by people just throwing trash everywhere-( It starts with us sportsman!)

As far as the water quality goes, it is totally out of the DNR's hands on most lakes. They can not tell a property owner how to landscape their yard. There is a lot of yards that have nice manicured yards right to the lake edge. This allows chemicals to pour right into the lake. It is going to take more than just sportsmen or the DNR. It will take a social change in attitudes on landscaping and it's affects on water quality.

As far as trash on Prior. Well unfortunately there is one in every crowd that just does not get it. I do my part by picking up the trash that I see and just go on.

What better water quality? Like was said above people need to change their landscaping practices. The days of heavily manicured and fertilized lawns right up to the waters edge is what has caused all this. Also people who live within the water shed dumping too many chemicals on their lawns.

Blowing grass clippings into the curb to have them washed out to the lake or river also has a negative affect on water quality. Stop bagging your lawn, mulch the clippings instead. Then reduce your fertilizer input by 1/3 and you wont see a difference in your lawn. Also back of the the irrigation a bit, less washing of garbage off your lawn into the storm sewers.

To lessen run-off there are a few things you should try. Start by putting in a rain garden. (And yes all of our landscaping practices effect some body of water since we all live within a watershed) Consider a rain barrel to store rain water for watering during dry periods. Looking at doing some restored prairie or naturalized areas of your landscape.

Need more ideas? Just ask.

If you want better water quality? It has to start with all of us making changes for a common good.

Also there is grant money in most areas of the metro from doing the ideas I mentioned above. The amount of money depends on where you are located and what your watershed/municipality is offering. They are all different. I know one areas was offering $500. That's enough to have a professional consultant come out and help you get started on a rain garden, buy all the plants and materials, plus the case of beer for after your done putting it in. But its well worth looking into.

Don't forget carp. Those buggers will turn a crystal clear lake into a mudpit in a few short years. They use their little hog snouts to root up vegetation and thereby increase the concentration of suspended particles in our lakes. I know a professor at the U is currently working decreasing carp populations in Riley, Susan, and I think Rice Marsh lakes in EP.

It is not jut lake shore owners to blame. every person who puts fertilizer on their yard, blows leaves or grass clippings into the street shares in the responsibility of this problem.
The simple soloution would be to ban the use of fertilizers, but that wont be happening anytime soon.

I live on Bald Eagle. The local homeowners have an association that has pumped tens of thousands of dollars to control curly leaf pond weed. Rice Creek Watershed and the local cities have also kicked in. We've had the Lake Doctor involved for over 10 years. 65 homes in my neighborhood each spent over $25K putting in sewer and water to try and help solve the problem.

It is incredibly complex to control. Sort of the bottom line is that phosphorus has built up in the lake sediment. Carp and the curly leaf keep recycling the stuff and that causes algae blooms and poor water quality. But there are other strange things - a lot of rain, a lot of snow that prevents the weeds from getting going, an early or late ice off - all have impacts.

A 18 month long study has recently been started with the goal being a long term plan. Then a special taxing district will be set up getting money again from the local homeowners, and then applying for matching funds from state and federal sources.

Bottom line is it isn't simple, it takes a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of money. I'm not sure where to assign the blame for the current situation, and sort of the bottom line is that it really doesn't make any difference. ID the problems, find the solution and then do it.

I don't think that has much effect, I fish quite a few lakes that have tons of huge carp in them and are crystal clear throughout the summer. Have been since I was a kid, ~20 years.

-JR

IE, minnetonka.

Actualy, I have noticed large boats can stir up quite a bit of mud but it settles back down in a while.

I believe in some communities the use of fertilizers with phosphorus is banned. It may be in our interest to be more involved in our local government and set up some kind of guide for home owners to fallow before it is forced on us. The dnr is now making recommendations to the cities along the St.Croix on controlling water run off. Soon they will require a certain amount land designated to filter run off before it gets to the lakes and rivers. It is now in the volunteer stage

Actually the only fertilizer you can use that has Phos is starter fertilizer. The Phos ban is state wide. You can not legally apply phosphorus to your lawn in MN. Thats a great start in the right direction. Now we need tighter controls on other fertilizers, irrigation and storm water run off.

I will give props to Minneapolis or adding the storm water user utility fee. Which bills people for their storm water run-off. It makes people realize the impact their landscape use decisions are having. People are allowed to change there land uses to reduce run-off to get a reduction in their bill. If you ask me this should be state wide.

I was on the Mississippi above the Coon Rapids dam and witnessed a guy dump his full lawn mower hopper full of grass clippings right into the river. Idiot. Also noticed a lot of homeowners had little dump piles right on the bank of the river. I suppose these people might not understand the significance of their actions. No wonder why there is a "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico where the mighty Miss. dumps in.

Don't ya love it when the shore owner mows all the way to the water?

This is an issue that gets me going just bit for those who haven't read any of my above.

Like I told a client of mine last night when I met them to talk about their pond shoreline, if you dont mow up to the water's edge it will solve a lot of problems.

But my favorite is when I hear all the Lake Minnetonka shore owners <poorwordusage> and moaning about all the geese on their insanely manicured lawns. Well so much nutrients wash off their lawn into the lake it nutrient loads the water. This causes massive algae blooms, milfoil growth and bacteria levels. So basically they have destroyed the goose's natural habitat leave it no where else to grow but up on to the lawns.

My clients last night noted that the people around their ponds with naturalized shorelines have never had geese on their lawns. Also the lake weed levels and algae levels are significantly lower along their shore. We cant get this shoreline restored fast enough for this client.

So here's the challenge for everyone to end my rant. Next time your out at the lake take note of which lawns are covered in geese. Also note which lawns have lower algae levels along the shoreline.