View Full Version : You Can't Fish Here!
Jon_J
07-01-2002, 07:51 AM
Don't think for a minute that your fishing areas may someday be off limits. Money talks.
From the Sunday "St Paul Pioneer Press"
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/3567020.htm
Please help out here and lets get the phones ringing. Please call to log a complaint with the Minnesota DNR at:
Molly Shodeen 651-772-7910
Or the general info phone line at: 651-296-6157 or toll free 888-646-6367
Thanks for your help.
Jon Jordan.
St Paul, Mn.
Bad Finger - you changed your name.
What a crock of bull this GATE is. There excuse that it's due to vandalism and or security is crap as well. The non-locking gate is there to keep law abiding citizens OUT!
These peoples MONEY isn't any better than yours or mine even if they do have more!
Everyone needs to make these phones ring or this precedence will start in MN and then filter down to all of us. This is no different than any other regulations that are set.
You stay on them smallies....and leave the EYES for me!
Take care,
Travis J.
Danner
07-01-2002, 12:22 PM
Well that solves one problem for me. I was going to buy a new pair of really good hunting boots this year and I still will, I need a size 14 in the DANNERS please.
Chumley
07-01-2002, 12:43 PM
I guess I don't get it, how is it keeping fishermen out if you can push a button and it opens up? So it takes 5 seconds longer to get in than it did before, so what? As is usually the case, reality is probably somewhere between what the owners say and what Jon the irate fisherman says.
Bad Finger
07-01-2002, 12:50 PM
Yes Travis, one in the same. I used the Jon_J log on name here for a long time, but that name was hi-jacked by other Jon_J's, so I switched my moniker when this board was updated to it's current version. I used my old Jon_J user name because I am quoted several times in the article. Travis and folks who have met me know why my knick-name is Bad Finger. Re-attachemnt surgery after a table saw accident. A bit more memorable moniker on this national forum. anyway.......
This should really piss everyone off. The DNR caves in to some rich a-hole and issues an illegal permit under the threat of a lawsuit! Come on, what the #$%& is going on here?
Please, everyone, get involved here. I remember a while back WC'ers helped some guy win a radio phone in contest. I think we can direct out efforts to a more important cause. Do you?
molly.shodeen@dnr.state.mn.us
Molly is the person to contact on this. Be nice to Molly, I think she agrees with our position.
Bad Finger
07-01-2002, 12:53 PM
It's the point! One gate here and everyone will have a gate. The thing looks like crap, it is illegal in Mn to block access to public water. How would you like it if the gate faile to work or the rules changes. This is an old stinky can of worms that need to get tossed overboard.
Chumley
07-01-2002, 01:02 PM
So that means I can sure every farmer in Houston, Winonoa, and Fillmore counties that strings a cow fence across a trout stream ?
Chumley
07-01-2002, 01:04 PM
I mean sue
Bad Finger
07-01-2002, 01:06 PM
Yes.
Chumley
07-01-2002, 01:12 PM
What if a button is installed that raises the fence and allows you access that the owner says he'd be happy to grant you?? If it allows you in at will how is that blocking access? Pretend that the farmer is dirt poor and not some rich a-hole, as you put it (since we all know that every single rich person in the world is, in fact, an a-hole).
Chumley,
If someone has the right to put a gate/fence across everywhere we have freedom to roam, doesn't that restrict access even if it's retractable? Think if someone put a gate on the street you live on and you had to get out of your car and open the street gate just to get home.
Well, when I'm in my boat by myself or with someone else I sure as heck don't want to have to open and close some gate to get to our popular fishing spots...it's called freedom! Just because some Red Wing boot/shoe president has some $$$/clout doesn't mean he regulates us.
Good fishing,
Travis J.
Dave in Mpls
07-01-2002, 02:23 PM
Not to mention the fact that there are marinas on lakes such as Minnetonka where folks slip that can buy and sell people like Bill Sweasy and Henry Bufflao all day, every day. Should all these marinas be allowed to put up gates across the harbor mouths? I think not! I have e-mailed Molly voicing my opposition to this.
Regards
Spineless
07-01-2002, 02:47 PM
Once again the Minnesota DNR has caved to money. They did this same thing on a dock issue up on Leech. If they are truly the Department of Natural Resources, they need to stand up and be heard. Our tax dollars pay them for their time and efforts. Once again, a great example of our tax dollars being shot in the foot.
Torqued Off
Dave in Mpls
07-01-2002, 02:52 PM
Did they allow that dock to be put in on Leech? I was wondering what ever became of that situation.
Regards
Chumley
07-01-2002, 02:53 PM
You are using extreme examples that don't really apply to the situation. A private marina does not equal a neighborhood street
(although some people pay alot of money to live in "gated" communities).
The idea of a gate across the mouth of a harbor turns me off, but with people like Bad Finger calling people rich a-holes your efforts are sure to fail. Make intelligent arguments and aim cool-ly and calmly directly at their pocketbooks if you want to win this one.
Where does the money come from
07-01-2002, 02:54 PM
Part of the problem is that any legal fees to fight a problem like this come directly from the DNR's operating budget. One big case can drain a lot of funding that I am sure the DNR would perfer to use somewhere else. Dosen't make it right... but.....
dw
Bad Finger
07-01-2002, 03:09 PM
Chumley, don't know who you are, where you live, but you sure don't get it!
Here in Minnesota, land of more than 10,000 lakes, we cherish our water. Restricting even one drop of it is crap!
I use titles like "You can't Fish Here" and "Rich A-Hole" here to get attention. You obviously are not aware that I like to stir the pot! My communications to the people involved in this issue are very civilized, I can assure you of that.
Now, if you feel so strongly against my position, you should e-mail your feelings to the Mn DNR and Red Wing Shoes.
Good Luck......
Chumley
07-01-2002, 04:14 PM
I'm not against your opinion.
Furthermore you can stir the pot without making broad statements about large groups of people. Takes all kinds though.
I too live in Minnesota.
SUPERTROLLER
07-01-2002, 08:03 PM
Bring a chainsaw with you next time and remove the illegal gate. If I found an illegal gate blocking access to my hunting/fishing spots and blocking a public road, I wouldn't hesitate to remove it. Let them rebuild it and I'd take it out again! They can NOT block a public access road. PERIOD!
Grampa_Joe
07-01-2002, 08:36 PM
Just sent my email to Molly.
Take a minute and let her know who she "should" be working for.
Joe Carlson
The point is... why should I have to push a button in order to access public space.
If I was worried about vandals, I doubt that they would let me put a gate on the highway. Even a gate with a button.
MAKE SURE YOU ALL WRITE MOLLY!
Make sure to e-mail Molly molly.shodeen@dnr.state.mn.us
P, Thomas
07-02-2002, 12:50 AM
The point of this matter is restriction of free acess. There is a button there now but in a couple of years it will be gone thats how it works. A small Marina today and a buoyed off small Bay tommorow and part of a lake in the future. You can't allow them to get their foot in the door on this. Once the practice is allowed then legitimate lawsuits could claim that this gate was precedent setting. This is probably why its there. With regards to the DNR caving in to big money, that won't stop until we start throwing the career politicians out of office on election day. If the DNR bucks the big money players the politicians (who take all they can get from big money but arent expected to do any favors for their benefactors) will make life miserable for DNR.
flyman
07-02-2002, 06:27 AM
It would depend if the rivers/streams are navigable. If not, the farmer can "own" the stream and put up all the fences he wants.
If it is navigable (and thus a public waterway), it gets more complicated.
...I think the definition of "navigable" is that you can float a 6' 2x4 on a stream and it will float unemcumbered for 20' or so. I was on a prairie concervancy walk at Ripon College (my alma mater) this weekend and was surprised that one bridge that crossed a stream on the wetland was high enough to canoe under (easily). The stream was about 18" to 20" wide, but it fell into the realm of "navigable". The people with this gate are going to waste plenty of DNR dollars that could have gone to better causes and in the end I feel that the gate will be gone.
Best Regards,
FJH
fishwolf
07-02-2002, 12:39 PM
I'm not from Mn. but seriously appreciate your position. I am an NRA member and if the last election results are any indication of what can be accomplished when a group of like minded people vote as a block, you might want to consider letters/e-mails/phone calls to your local reps. and tactfully voice your opinions on the subject. Then follow-up with your votes. Jessie may not be runnning but someone needing your vote will. Good hunting.
Cangl
07-02-2002, 03:47 PM
Hang up those boots take them off and hang them on his gate. From today on anybody I know that is seen wearing them had better be ready for some "foam' and a good batch of info. We have not bought a Generals Mills product in over 4 months and as for Red Wing boots hang them on his gate, and buy other brands. Sharing is caring and those that cannot are rotten little brats, gives your children something to look up to you know. Hey honey. Look there goes another overpaid inconsiderate #$&#%$$@ limiting everybodies rights especially yours my child. Real role model there corporate America!
Fake cowboy's with an attorney in each holster. Hang there trash on that gate.