In This Issue
 Public water accesses operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources need significant investment to make them accessible to all users, meet the needs of modern watercraft, improve protection of public waters from stormwater runoff and invasive species, and enhance climate resilience.
The Sturgeon Lake PWA in Pine County is one of more than 40 PWAs throughout the state that are slated for extensive upgrades via the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative.
“We know how much Minnesotans value outdoor recreation experiences, and our goal with Get Out MORE is to make those experiences more welcoming, accessible, and modern, said Sarah Strommen, commissioner of the DNR. “Get Out MORE invests in on-the-ground projects that Minnesotans can see and experience, and we’re thrilled that the first of those projects, the Sturgeon Lake Public Water Access, is now ready to enjoy.”
Prior to the improvements at the Sturgeon Lake site, the paved parking lot had severely deteriorated, and the site was not up to code for accessibility. The new parking lot boasts 24 parking spaces for vehicles and trailers, including one accessible parking space. There are two new boat ramps, a floating dock, improved stormwater management that meets best practices, and an aquatic invasive species boat and trailer cleanout lane.
The site reopened for public use on Aug. 16, making it the first PWA project funded by Get Out MORE to reach completion. Throughout the fall, there will be continued monitoring of the site to ensure stormwater management is working properly and that grass seeding and tree plantings are all performing well.
In 2023, the DNR received a $150 million appropriation to update and improve outdoor recreation experiences throughout the state. This investment, known as Get Out MORE centers on five key areas, one of which is modernizing boating access.
“Here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we know people treasure their access to the water,” said Ann Pierce, DNR Parks and Trails Division director. “We are thrilled to be working on so many projects that will provide better access to Minnesota’s lakes and rivers, and completing this first Get Out MORE access project on Sturgeon Lake is really something to celebrate.”
To learn about Get Out MORE and see a map of other PWAs identified for improvements, visit the DNR website (mndnr.gov/get-out-more).
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in East Twin Lake, near Florence in Lyon County.
A DNR conservation officer was contacted by an angler who found four adult zebra mussels on a stick in East Twin Lake. DNR invasive species specialists found more than a dozen adult zebra mussels each at two locations during a follow-up search. The size variation and distribution of zebra mussels indicate they have likely been reproducing in the lake for several years.
East Twin Lake is the only lake in Lyon County and the third in southwest Minnesota where zebra mussels have been confirmed.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
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Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
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Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
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Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
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Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
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Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
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Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/decon).
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Spray watercraft and equipment with high-pressure water or rinse with water if high-pressure water is not available.
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Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist (mndnr.gov/invasives/ais/contacts.html) if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species that was not already known to be in the water body.
More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/ais).
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