With cold weather running late into spring, the DNR has found itself in a race against time: Ice-out has been delayed, which means it could be difficult for the DNR to get ramps and docks out in time for the May 12th fishing opener.
Water recreation program consultant Nancy Stewart explained the hard situation the DNR has found itself in: “Winter weather is always a challenge to Minnesota’s public water access sites. Because of the late ice-out this year, DNR crews will have a shorter window than usual to get boat ramps and docks ready for the May 12 fishing opener, but we will have as many of them ready as possible.”
In Minnesota, there are approximately 3,000 public water access sites statewide. But no need to hyperventilate, Minnesota anglers, the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division only manages about half of them; around 1,500.
And DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr will help soothe your worries, saying “I want Minnesotans to know that we are doing everything we can to get ready for the fishing opener, but mostly what we need are warmer temperatures and sunshine.”
And it isn’t only the time crunch that has everyone working as hard as they can this year: Each year, repairs are needed at hundreds of sites. These repairs fix damage done by freezing temperatures and ice, which causes concrete to crack and buckle on the ramps. Although there is no typical winter here in Minnesota, crews can often get a head start on that repair work, even before ice-out. This year, however, the snow has prevented them from assessing damage, and the ramps can’t be re-leveled until the ground thaws (if it ever does…).
And though crews haven’t been able to get a jump on ramp repair work, they are busy rehabbing docks. Dock repair includes changing bumpers and wheels as needed so that they’ll be ready to pop in when the time (finally) comes.
“Even if every last dock isn’t in by the opener, there will be places to fish and boat,” said Stewart.
Helpful resources on the DNR’s Public Water Access website include:
- A map showing where ice-out has occurred.
- Phone numbers for DNR Area Offices for updates.
If you are a Boater and or angler you can also get your questions answered by calling the DNR Info Center:
Phone: 888-646-6367
Hours:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Read next: Fly fishing with the kiddos
