Lake Regulation Review Stirs Debate Among Fish Lake Property Owners
Story Brief:
After 30 years, Maple Grove is revisiting its lake rules. Some want to see restrictions eased for water activities. Others want those rules to stay.
Fish Lake Regulation Review
On a hot day in July, it’s likely that you’ll find the Yasoskys on Fish Lake in Maple Grove.
John and Debbie live a convenient few blocks from the public access. They enjoy fishing, boating, kayaking, and for a time, water skiing.
“It’s small– it’s not real big. Usually it is pretty quiet. And nice and close and convenient,” said John Yasosky.
They’ve been familiar with the lake’s 30-year-old rules: No wake before 9 a.m. or in high waters, classified as 892 feet above sea level.
But some lake users are hoping to pull back those restrictions. A petition on Change.org is asking for no new boating rules that would remove the 9 a.m. clause and remove or raise the 892-foot restriction. It had nearly 550 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Yasoskys feel differently. They’ve encountered wake boats on Fish Lake before.
“You can see both sides. But in this case, it is a pretty narrow lake. It’s tough to get far enough from shore where it, in my opinion, doesn’t do a lot of damage,” John Yasosky said.
Debbie Yasosky said she doesn’t want the two issues to be conflated. One concern is activities that cause a small wake. To her, a bigger concern is wake boats, which are designed to create big wakes on the water. She said she fell down and was hurt while water skiing on Fish Lake, which she attributes to a large wave caused by a wake boat a few years back.
“I think there’s two issues. There is one; when the lake is high, the rules need to be followed. And the other one I think the homeowners are concerned about the wake of boats. Because the wake boats create huge, massive rolling waves. And those waves affect the shoreline also,” Debbie Yasosky said. “Maybe there could be a compromise where a couple hours a day the wake boats can go out and enjoy the lake, too.”
Debbie Yasosky begins paddling out into Fish Lake. Public access to the beach was popular on July 2.
Lake Review
Changes to lake regulation are top-of-mind because the Maple Grove Lake Quality Commission is reviewing its rules after 30 years. The commission is appointed by the council. It’s made up of representatives for each lake, plus three at-large members.
The commission sent out a survey earlier this year and received more than 200 responses.
Water Resources Engineer Derek Asche said this review is routine, though it’s been awhile.
“These regulations come forward really through grassroots efforts,” Asche said. “And efforts by citizens who live on the lake and have noticed an issue, or use the lake and have noticed an issue. And are wondering if an issue can be resolved, or solved, or if there’s some compromise.”
Though some want the rules to change, others, like Eric Claver, said the way things are now is fine. He said the early morning regulation doesn’t affect his normal boating habits.
“It would definitely be unfortunate, from my perspective, if they ever were to initiate ‘No wake’ all the time. We definitely use this lake for tubing and boating around with the kids– so that would be less than ideal,” Claver said.
Asche said once the committee reviews the feedback and makes decisions, future regulation will go through a number of channels. The commission will make recommendations, which will be reviewed by the city attorney, the DNR, Three Rivers Park District and Hennepin County. The final decision would be made by the Maple Grove City Council.
Asche explains the Lake Quality Commission’s goals. He said the original regulations on Fish Lake were established in 1988.
Other Feedback
Carolyn Halbur lives on Fish Lake. She said in a Facebook message that it would be nice to go out before 9 a.m. as a water skiier, but also loves being out without wakes before 9 a.m. with fellow paddleboarders and swimmers.
She is also worried about high water effects on the shoreline.
“My husband and I have lived on Fish lake for over 30 years and in the last 20 years we have lost at least 10 feet of shoreline,” Halbur wrote. “This year has been extraordinary because we have lost 2 feet just since we put the dock in 6 weeks ago!”
She’s also concerned about soil going into the lake and impacting the water clarity.
Chad Williams, who lives a few blocks from Fish Lake, also shared his concerns in a Facebook message. His family uses the lake to paddleboard, tube, fish and kneeboard.
“Last year we had a fairly serious incident due to the unnaturally large waves that many of these wake boats make, resulting in our fishing boat capsizing with two minors on board,” Williams wrote. “A kind neighbor towed us and complained about those wake boats causing so much trouble.”
He said these problems are largely caused by wake boats, which throw large surfing waves.
The discussion isn’t limited to Fish Lake, either. Several residents on Eagle Lake in Maple Grove are seeking further regulation on their lake, similar to the ones Fish Lake has now.
A “Slow-No Wake” sign is in place at Fish Lake. Per city ordinance, the order goes into effect when water reaches 892 feet above sea level.
Update 7/3: Clarification added to the position Carolyn Halbur’s position on pre-9 a.m. wake rules.
