FAQ
Here you will find questions we often get at annual meetings and online about water quality. Please check below to see if your question is here, and then send us your question!
Q: Do any agencies handle carp left in ditches or elsewhere?
Please reference the MN DNR Fishing Regulations
Per MN Fishing regulations, it is illegal to catch a fish if you don't intend on using it for anything. Any fish (including rough fish) must be returned back into the water alive. You cannot waste a fish by discarding it, or any part of it, for sport. (Page 36, Illegal Activities)
While this has not been the case around our wonderful lake, if you spot illegal activity please contact DNR authorities. Unfortunately, if you are an impacted shore owner with wasted fish on your property there are no organizations you can call to dispose of the fish. The association has alerted DNR of the continuing issue. We've also contacted the township about the fisherman on the blind corner by the five-mile bridge.
Q: Is there a bad time to collect samples? Are you seeing that how quickly the run-off occurs seems to be much more significant?
The benefits and negatives of run-off will vary based on individual properties as some need more nutrients and some need to move it away, so there isn't a conclusive answer we can give here.
Q: Do the buffers help?
The buffers do the best when there is slow-moving rain but are less effective in larger rain-falls like the recent 7-inch downpour.
Q: What's the difference between a public and private ditch?
A public ditch is managed by an agency or watershed. A private ditch is managed by the landowner. So, in a private ditch, a landowner could potentially handle drainage and tillage by themselves without a permit, but most farmers can not tile under the 1986 farm law, the swamp buster law. It's very expensive, but it helps control the vast run-off.
Q: What methods has KLA developed to communicate with lakefront property owners and local businesses to promote environmentally friendly practices and responsible lake stewardship?
KLA has focused on delivering a clear message. We abide entirely by our mission to promote the protection and improvement of Koronis Lake, and every project and initiative supports that founding purpose.
We have created multiple ways to communicate with our membership and community, including hosting a Facebook and Instagram page, updating our website, sending out newsletters, and hosting the annual meeting where all members can come to learn what we are doing.
We occasionally host educational workshops on the dangers of Aquatic Invasive Species, one of the most pressing issues Koronis Lake faces today, and continue to search for opportunities to share all that we have learned.
On that note, our website includes tips, resources, and guidelines to help shore-owners and boaters know the best practices and regulations to protect our lake. These resources will continually update as we find new information.