Motorized watercraft restrictions proposed for Pelican Lake

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Motorized watercraft restrictions proposed for Pelican Lake
(Released October 26, 2011)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is proposing to restrict motorized boat traffic on part of Wright County’s Pelican Lake for two months in the spring to better protect migrating waterfowl.

An open house to explain the proposal and receive comments will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the council chambers at the St. Michael City Hall, 11800 Town Center Drive NE.

The public also can send comments to: DNR Wildlife, 940 Industrial Drive S., #103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379; or by email to fred.bengtson@state.mn.us. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15.

From March 15 to May 15, 2012, motorized watercraft would be prohibited from operating on the lake in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18 in the city of St. Michael, and sections 11, 12 and 13 of Buffalo Township. Those areas represent roughly the southern third of the lake. Motorized watercraft still would be able to operate in the restricted zone within 100 feet of the shoreline at slow no-wake speeds, thereby allowing riparian landowners and local anglers access to the lake. Non-motorized watercraft also would be allowed. The northern two-thirds of the lake, which is popular for spring panfishing, would remain unaffected. Watercraft restrictions would end before the bass fishing season opens.

The surface water restrictions on the lake are aimed at minimizing disturbance to waterfowl during spring migration, especially lesser and greater scaup, canvasbacks, redheads, ringnecks and ruddy ducks. By the time migrating ducks reach Minnesota in the spring, they’ve traveled hundreds or thousands of miles and are especially susceptible to further stress if scared off feeding and resting areas by boaters and anglers.

Pelican Lake is one of only 45 designated wildlife lakes in Minnesota. The designation means that the lake’s management plans emphasize its value to wildlife, and it gives DNR statutory authority to regulate watercraft use and to periodically lower water levels in order to improve habitat.

Long a mecca for ducks and waterfowl, Pelican Lake has suffered from persistent flooding and deterioration of shallow water areas over the last 30 years. Recurring algae blooms have blocked sunlight, limiting the growth of important rooted aquatic plants that provide food and shelter for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife species. Rough fish and summer wave action on this unprotected shallow lake bottom have further degraded the lake’s water quality.

Despite these significant impacts, Pelican Lake remains a vital habitat link for spring and fall migrating waterfowl and other wetland bird species. It is also an important breeding area. Growing concerns over declines in migratory waterfowl populations in Minnesota, especially diver duck species, have increased efforts statewide to improve shallow lake habitat that has deteriorated.

A four-phase project has been launched to construct an outlet for Pelican Lake that would allow drawdowns to improve habitat and water quality. The water will flow through a ditch to Regal Creek, and then to the Crow River, with some of it stored in reclaimed wetlands in the St. Michael Meadows area. Discussions with landowners are underway to acquire necessary property interests, and DNR has been working with Ducks Unlimited to develop engineering plans for the lake’s restoration. The project is expected to take four to five years.