Dockside 2021

SPRING 2021 Complimentary Copy

A MAGAZINE FOR LAKE AND RIVER LIVING

Focused on

FISHING

Whether you’re heading out on May 15 for the Minnesota fishing opener or casting a line for the first time, find out what to expect with the 2021 fishing forecast

PLAN AN ANGLER’S ADVENTURE

WILD ABOUT WALLEYE?

Tips to make your fishing trip a success

Recipes to savor your fresh fish catch

BOAT MAINTENANCE 101 Tips to properly care for your boat

SAFETY COMES FIRST. HOME & BUSINESS SECURITY AG MONITORING MEDICAL ALERTS

To do our part during these challenging times, we’re offering 3 months free total monitoring with the purchase of a new security system. Protect your property and family from intruders, fire, carbon monoxide, and other threats for less than you think.

888.264.6380 | heartlandss.com

YOU WORK HARD. PLAY HARDER. YOU DESERVE A HEWITT.

DOCKS | LIFTS | PONTOON LEGS | SWIM RAFTS | STAIRCASES | CANOPIES | KAYAKS | ACCESSORIES

AUTHORIZED DEALER:

Spicer, MN 320-796-0790 waterworksdockandlift.com 2 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

A magazine for lake and river living SPRING 2021 | VOL. 13, NO. 1 Wild about walleye? Check out these recipes to enhance your fresh catch PUBLISHED BY

19

Hutchinson Leader 170 Shady Ridge Road N.W., Suite 100, Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350 320-753-3635 Litchfield Independent Review P.O. Box 307 Litchfield, Minnesota 55355 320-693-3266 Dockside is a MediaNews Group publication

GENERAL MANAGER Brent Schacherer: 320-753-3637 email: schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com

4

NEWS Kay Johnson: 320-753-3641 email:johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

ADVERTISING

Love to fish? Here is a list of tips on planning an angler’s adventure like a pro

Kevin True: 320-753-3649 email: true@hutchinsonleader.com

6

Sales representatives Colleen Piechowski: 320-753-3653 email: piechowski@hutchinsonleader.com Ronda Kurtzweg: 320-753-3652 email: kurtzweg@hutchinsonleader.com

Are you ready for summer fun? Boat maintenance 101

Sara Evenson: 320-593-4804 Email: evenson@independentreview.net Nichole Elke: 320-753-3650 email: elke@hutchinsonleader.com

PRINTED BY Crow River Press 170 Shady Ridge Road N.W. Hutchinson, MN 55350 Dockside is published one time per year by the Litchfield Independent Review and Hutchinson Leader newspapers.

It is distributed free to lake and river property owners around Litchfield and Hutchinson. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the publisher.

7

Do you make these 3 boating mistakes?

8

Selecting a life jacket for your child

15

Reeling in the big one: Central Minnesota 2021 fishing forecast

23

Salute the red, white and blue: Celebrate America’s Independence Day with parades and fi reworks

Cover photo: Getty Images

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 3

ADVENTURE STUDIOS — JOHN LINN 20

There’s nothing like a day on the lake fishing. No wonder it’s one of Minnesota’s favorite pastimes.

Plan an angler’s adventure like a pro F

ishing is a treasured pastime for Americans from coast to coast, but the experience can be as individual as the person reeling them in. A successful angling excursion begins with thoughtful planning and all the right gear.

If you’re new to the sport, gearing up for your first fishing season may feel equally exciting and overwhelming. On the other hand, a seasoned pro can always benefit from periodically taking stock of tackle, gear and other equipment to increase the thrill of a great catch.

LICENSE AND REGISTRATION With just a few exceptions, fishing requires a license. Thanks to the internet, a fishing license is easy to come by, even if you’re

4 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

not a resident of the place where you’ll be dropping a line. Pay close attention to the different types of licenses offered so you’re not vulnerable to fines or penalties. It’s a good idea to store your permit in a waterproof container in a cubby on your boat or in your tackle box.

BOAT Unless you’re planning to fish strictly from the shoreline or a bridge, you’ll probably need a boat to reach the best fishing waters.

Boat styles vary depending on the species you’re angling for and the body of water you’ll use to drop a line, and dozens of features and options let you customize your experience.

A leading boat maker such as Alumacraft gives you a variety of options for fishing and hunting. The brand, which is celebrat-

ADVENTURE STUDIOS — JOHN LINN 20

Boats come in all shapes and sizes. Make sure to work with a reputable dealer to buy the boat that best fits your needs. ing its 75th anniversary this year, is available locally at Yamaha Motorsports in Hutchinson.

ADVANCE INTEL If you’re traveling to a place where you don’t know the locals, online research and area fishing reports can help you pinpoint the best places to find your favorite catch. For those new to the sport, or if you’re branching out to target new species, be sure to do some research and learn from gaming experts about the best tricks for targeting the fish you prefer.

TACKLE AND GEAR Some elements of a fishing excursion are obvious, like rods and reels, but also be sure your gear includes a well-stocked first aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses to reduce glare from the water, snacks and water to keep you safely hydrated. Bring plenty of extra line and tackle so you don’t have to call a day short if you snag a favorite lure. Depending on the manufacturer, fishing-specific boats or crossover boats are designed with built-in lockable rod storage and integrated dual aerated, LED-lit livewells for organizing your gear and keeping your catch safe.

CHOOSING A BOAT STYLE FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE Not all boats are created equal, so knowing how and where you plan to use your boat will help you determine which boat style you need. Consider these options from the experts at Alumacraft:  Fish and Sport: These models provide maximum flexibility for families that love being on the water fishing or enjoying a day of relaxation, water sports and fun.  Multispecies: Whether you’re looking to catch the next 50-pound muskie or just relax with friends catching panfish, adaptable multispecies boats are designed for all types of deep- or shallow-water anglers.  Bay: Versatile bay boats offer equally smooth rides and easy handling on your local river or on intercoastal waters.  Bass and Crappie: Designed for shallow-water anglers, these boats feature plenty of storage, powerful engines and flat casting decks.  Hunt and Utility: Tough and easy to transport, these durable multi-purpose boats are built for those who are serious about the outdoors.

— Family Features

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 5

Boat maintenance 101: Tips to properly care for your boat Are you ready for summer? Here are some tips to get your boat ready for fun in the sun

BY ALEX GUERRERO

S

ummer is around the corner, and for Minnesotans that could mean trips to the lake. After all, Minnesota is called the land of 10,000.

So, how can boat owners prepare themselves for the summer fun?

Jeremy Crosby, owner of B&B Sports in Hutchinson, has a few steps boat ow ners can follow.

First, Crosby s u g g e s t s customers check all the fluids and the engine itself.

Jeremy These inCrosby, owner clude checkof B&B Sports ing the engine oil, the outdrive gear oil in the lower unit (where the propeller is) and charging the battery.

“Make sure that your battery is 100 percent full, make sure that your cables on the battery are tight, and then you’re going to want to check your air pressure in the tires of your trailer,” Crosby said. “You’re going to want to make sure that the trailer bearings are greased, and that you check all of the lights on your trailer just so you’re safe to pull it down the road.”

He said some owners go further, flipping through switches

6 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

FILE PHOTO

Make sure your boat is in working order, so you can participate in events such as the popular Fourth of July boat parade on Lake Washington. to insure the radio works, the bilge pump works, the Livewell pump turns on and that navigation lights are working.

Any boat that sits, according to Crosby, is subject to something happening to it, and it’s his job to help.

“We just want to make sure that all of those items work,” Crosby said. “Then from there take it to the landing, and before you unload your boat you should really fire it up and make sure everything sounds OK. Then unload your boat into the water and use it.”

Maintaining a boat over the summer requires different steps.

One problem Crosby comes across fairly often is trailer lights not working.

Another Crosby said is fluid levels.

“Engine oil filter, some engines have an on-engine oil reservoir, so that would be for a two-stroke engine,” Crosby

suggested. “You need to just make sure that your oil level is full … so that you don’t damage the engine.”

Fluid checking isn’t always necessary after every boat excursion, and Crosby recommends checking lights every so often to make sure they’re working on the boat trailer.

He said there weren’t any special steps to take for different types of boats, only different steps for engine types.

The engine types include inboard-, inboard-outboard- and outboard-motors.

Another thing to do is checking water levels in your boat and remove as much as possible.

“You should always check to make sure that your boat is not taking up water of any kind,” Crosby said. “So when you’re pulling your boat out of the water, or you’re having your boat on a lift … if you live on a lake, you should pull your drain plug every so often just to

make sure that … you don’t have a large amount of water inside the boat.”

For storing your boat in the fall, Crosby suggests putting fresh gas in and getting your boat winterized. This means having the engine oil, filter and the gear oil (among other items) changed before putting the boat away.

“The biggest reasoning for that is your boat is running water, so you have a moisture issue in any boat, so you want to make sure that you change those f luids so that there’s no moisture in that when it’s stored over the winter that can freeze and damage anything in the engine,” Crosby said.

For more information on caring for you boat, visit the American Boating Association at americanboating.org.

— Alex Guerrero is a former staff member of the Hutchinson Leader.

Do you make these 3 boating safety mistakes?

M

ost boaters don’t like making mistakes, especially when it comes to safety. With the recent release of the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water recommends avoiding these three common boating mistakes to increase safety for all aboard.

1. Using your cellphone to make a call, check social media, use a nonboating app, send emails, watch videos or anything else that distracts you from safely operating your boat. This all adds up to operator inattention and improper lookout, which combined with operator inexperience, excessive speed, and alcohol use rank in the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

Just like you do in your car, stay off your phone or other portable devices. Boaters should learn the S.C.A.N. (Search, Concentrate, Analyze, and Negotiate) method to help you navigate safely and stay clear of other traffic.

2. Not taking a boating safety course.

Many boaters only learn about boating safety from family or friends, which may not be the best education. Where instruction information was known, the 2019 report notes that 70% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Don’t wait until your state requires boating safety instruction — taking a course now will improve your chance for a safe day on the water.

The BoatUS Foundation offers the only free, NASBLA-approved online boating safety course for 36 states.

3. Allowing guests to consume unlimited amounts of alcohol aboard your boat, even if the captain is sober. Recreational vessels operate under a wide range of hazardous conditions from the hot blazing sun to wind-whipped waves kicked up by a late afternoon thunderstorm. All of these combined with alcohol create a challenge for the person at the helm, who is legally responsible for everyone aboard. Alcohol

BOATUS.ORG

The latest U.S. Coast Guard boating safety data reports operator inattention and improper lookout are challenges for recreational boaters. use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, and statistics show it may be better to save it for when you and your guests are safely back at the dock.

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than half-million members of Boat Owners Association of The United

States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses — including 36 free state courses — can be found at BoatUS. org/Courses.

Source: BoatUS.com

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 7

Selecting a life jacket for your child

BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

S

ince May 2005, Minnesota law has required a life jacket to be worn by children younger than age 10 when aboard watercraft in Minnesota when the craft is under way (not tied up at a dock or permanent mooring).

What is a life jacket and why does my child need to wear one?

A life jacket is a U.S. Coast Guard approved device that helps the wearer float if they enter the water.

A child should wear a life jacket anytime they are near water such as in a boat or float tube as well as on docks and river banks and at the beach when allowed by the life guard.

Contrary to many TV shows and the movies, drowning is usually silent. A victim (of any age) in the process of drowning cannot cry out for help. They just bob up and down in the water, their head tipped back, mouth wide open gasping for air, and they are silent. It takes as little as 30 to 45 seconds for a child non-swimmer and it usually happens when an adult is nearby but doesn’t recognize the telltale signs of a child in distress in the water.

FIND A SAFE FIT FOR YOUR CHILD How do I make sure I’m using the right life jacket?

If you own a boat or plan on renting a boat or boating with a friend, you need to buy your child their own life jacket. Life jackets come in various types and sizes and there may not be a life jacket of the proper size and type to rent or borrow.

When buying a child’s life jacket, check for:  U.S. Coast Guard approved label.  A snug fit. Check weight and chest size on the label and try the life jacket on your child right at the store. Pick up your child by the shoulders of the life jacket; and tell them to raise their arms and relax. The child’s chin and ears won’t slip through a properly fitting jacket. Do not buy a jacket that is too large, hoping the child will grow into it.  Head support for younger children.

8 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

A well-designed life jacket will support the child’s head when the child is in the water. The head support also serves to roll the child face up.  A strap between the legs for younger children. This helps prevent the jacket from coming off over the child’s head.  Comfort and appearance. This is especially important for teens, who are less likely to wear a life jacket.

Remember: Life jackets only work when they are worn, and they do not take the place of adult supervision.

PROPER USE OF A LIFE JACKET Here’s some pointers for keeping your child safe:  Every spring, check the life jacket for fit as well as wear and tear. Throw it away if you find air leakage, mildew, rot or rust.

Cut up discarded life jackets so someone else doesn’t try to use them.  If a child panics in the water and thrashes about, they may turn onto his face, even though a life jacket with a collar is designed to keep them on their back with face out of the water. Have your child

REDCROSS.ORG

Life jackets are for everyone when boating, waterskiing or doing other water-based sports. practice wearing a life jacket in the water — this will help prevent panic and rolling over.  Never cut or alter a life jacket in any way. It will no longer be Coast Guard approved since it may lose its effectiveness.  Wear your own life jacket to set an example for your child, and to enable you to help your child if an emergency occurs.  Never use toys like plastic rings, arm floaties or water wings in place of a life jacket.  Don’t try wrapping a life jacket around a car seat for your baby. Much of the time, a car seat expelled from a boat in a crash or capsizing accident will flip upside down, holding your baby’s face under water.  Some infants are too small for any life jacket, even though the label may say 0 to 30 pounds. In general, babies younger than 6 months or 16 pounds are too small for a life jacket to be effective due to the extreme size of their head in relationship to their body

mass. If your infant is newborn, please consider waiting until the baby is a little older before taking them boating.  Adult life jackets: Make sure they are in good working order and fit appropriately.

EXEMPTIONS FROM WEARING FOR ADULTS The following are exemptions to the law:  When in an enclosed cabin or below the top deck on a watercraft.  When on an anchored boat that is a platform for swimming or diving.  When aboard a charter (passenger) craft with a licensed captain.  Interaction with existing federal regulations.

For more information, visit dnr.state.mn.us or the American Red Cross at tinyurl.com/7yskbnuw.

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 9

Schedule your Spring Service today so you are set for this season’s water fun!

JUST E. OF HUTCHINSON ON HWY. 7

320-587-9505 www.funsportsofhutchinson.com

Veteran Owned Small Business

Mon. 9:00 - 8:00; Tues. - Fri. 9:00 - 5:00 Sat. 9:00 - 3:00

KILL LAKE WEEDS

Hantge~McBride~Hughes

Proven AQUACIDE PELLETS

Dobratz-Dalin-Egesdal-Hauser-Paul

Marble sized pellets. Work at any depth

Funeral & Cremation Services

Before

After

Pre~Planning Monuments & Markers Cremation Memorial Services Veteran Honors

800-328-9350 www.Aquacide.com

10 lb. bag treats up to 4,000 sq. ft. $99.00.

50 lb. bag treats up to 20,000 sq. ft. $359.00.

FREE SHIPPING!! Certified and approved by state agencies. State permit may be required.

Registered with the Federal E. P. A. Our 66th year!

AQUACIDE CO.

PO Box 10748, DEPT 522, White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0748

10 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

“Celebrating Life” 1-800-937-1728

www.hantge.com

FISHING for

RUSTY TREASURE STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHEN WIBLEMO

Hutchinson’s Mark Grewe shows off an ax, one of the latest additions to his collection of axes and tools. He pulled it from the Crow River as part of his new hobby, magnet fishing. But more importantly, he’s helped clean the city’s waterways.

Mark Grewe is keeping busy and cleaning rivers while magnet fishing

BY STEPHEN WIBLEMO wiblemo@hutchinsonleader.com

W

hen most people head to the river hoping to reel in a big catch, they’re thinking about fish. But not Mark Grewe of Hutchinson.

“My goal was I want to find a gun, an ax and a knife,” he said.

That’s because Grewe is magnet fishing, which involves using a powerful magnet tied to rope, dragging it along the riverbed and

pulling out whatever sticks. He took up the hobby in spring 2020 when, like many Americans, he was put on furlough from his job due to COVID-19. And after a dozen “fishing” trips, what he’s pulled out has shocked him.

“I’m comparing it to what I see on YouTube, and I am very shocked, because it seems like I am getting almost 100 times what anyone else is pulling out of the water, and it’s clearly not me,” Grewe said. “I’ve done it 12 times. I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m just throwing a magnet in the water. So clearly there is enough out there, which is just shocking and surprising, and really almost hurtful because I’ve always been a nature guy. It’s tough to see that crap happening.”

Fishing to 12

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 11

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Here are the tools Mark Grewe uses for his magnet fishing trips, a pair of power magnets attached to rope and a grappling hook.

Fishing from 11 Among the items Grewe has caught with his magnet include power tools such as drills, saw blades and nails; razor wire; a microwave; an old ice skate; a shotgun shell reloader; a wheel rim; a beaver trap; an exhaust system; fishing lures and buckets of rebar and scrap metal.

“I’ve never been skunked,” he said. “I always have at least half a bucket full of stuff.”

Grewe became interested in the hobby during winter 2020 when his son, Travis, showed him magnet fishing videos on YouTube.

Then in early May, he was put on furlough from his job and looking for a way to fill his days.

“So I started getting the bug and I thought, ‘What the heck, I haven’t got anything else to do with my time.’ My yard is up to date, so I bought my first magnet.”

Grewe started with a 600-pound strength magnet and set out to Hutchinson bridges to see what he could catch. After pulling in a few fishing lures at his first couple stops, he went down behind the former Shopko building and really started reeling in the scrap.

“I’m pretty sure I found a tool box, because I kept dropping it

12 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

in the same spot with the 600-pound magnet and I was pulling out a hammer, a pliers and things like that, and a bunch of nails,” he said.

Grewe decided he needed to up the ante and purchased a 1,700-pound strength magnet. He also added a grappling hook to his repertoire to help him dislodge larger items that may be stuck beneath silt and debris.

Websites such as bridgehunter.com help Grewe search for fishing locations. He looks for bridges that are in high-traffic areas, as they are more likely to have stuff under them, and bridges that are older, as they are more likely to have older stuff in the water below. In shallow areas, he’ll also walk the river with his magnet dragging behind him.

“If I don’t get anything with the magnet when I’m throwing, I’ll start throwing out the grappling hook and tear up the bottom of the river,” Grewe said. “That removes the silt that’s on top of it, and then I can throw my magnet again and I’ll usually end up getting something. Going after a good rain also helps shake loose silt in the water and helps uncover what is on the riverbed.”

Since his first fishing trip in Hutchinson, Grewe has ventured

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Saw blades, a shotgun shell reloader and bottles containing gun powder aren’t what you’d expect to find in the Crow River, but that’s exactly where Mark Grewe pulled them from with his powerful magnets. to other areas and tributaries of the Crow River, and he has plans to continue.

But what does he do with everything he pulls up? While he at first intended to just throw most of it away, he quickly realized he had too much. He also can’t leave it by the bridges where he fishes, as that is considered littering, according to a DNR officer to whom he spoke.

So while he keeps some souvenirs for himself, such as old tools or anything he thinks is cool, much of it he gives to a scrapper he met online who picks it up and hauls it away.

But what about his goal of finding a gun, an ax and a knife? Well, he’s already twothirds of the way there with the ax and knife.

“A gun is a possibility of maybe helping someone out if there’s been a crime,” Grewe said about the reasons for his goal. “An ax because I happen to be an ax collector, and a knife, well, I just kind of like knives.”

Grewe said he plans to continue magnet fishing for the time being, at least until he finds a gun, goes back to work and is too busy, or he picks up another hobby.

“The way I sum up magnet fishing is,

During his dozen fishing trips in the Crow River, Mark Grewe has pulled up truckloads of scrap metal such as this. Most of it he gives to a local scrapper, and he suggests others do the same before illegally dumping things in the river and polluting the environment.

I like to be outdoors and like to fish, but I don’t like to eat fish,” he said. “So this way I get to fish, I get to wade in the rivers and be outdoors, it doesn’t cost me a

dime other than the gear, and I get to keep whatever I want and there’s no limit to what I keep. It’s basically fishing without any hangups.”

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 13

CENTRAL COUNTIES CO-OP

• Lawn Care Products • Propane Cylinder Refill • Equipment • Small Engine Repair • Pet Food • Bird Food Litchfield

320-693-6014 Atwater

320-974-8868

MEL’S

SPORT SHOP

YO U R O N E S T O P S H O P

BAIT:BOBBER:BEER

Hydrothal Granular is a selective, rapid-acting, contact herbicide and algaecide. Controls submersed weeds and algae in lakes, ponds, irrigation canals, and drainage ditches.

No swimming restrictions apply. EPA approved.

Consult with your local lake association and Department of Natural Resources before applying.

Gun/Archery Hunting Clothing Water Toys - Tubes MN Novelty T-Shirt Sweatshirt MN Keepsakes & Gift Camping

Full Line of Live Bait & Tackle Rods & Reels Fishing License Groceries - Snacks Lottery*

Mel’s Liquor Store Coldest Beer in Town Spicer, MN Mon-Sun 9 AM-5 PM Cstore Mon-Sun 6 AM-10 PM

Hours: Monday�Friday 6�7:30; Saturday 6:30�7; Open Sundays

14 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

320-796-2000

PHOTO BY J.G. MILLER, HUTCHINSON

This health-conscious angler enjoyed a day of fishing along the rock arch rapids on the Crow River near the Main Street Bridge in downtown Hutchinson.

Hutchinson Fisheries Management Area 2021 fishing outlook

BY HUTCHINSON AREA FISHERIES Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

T

he 2020 fishing season was unique for everyone due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fishing license sales were higher than they’d been for almost 10 years and subsequently fishing pressure was high with full boat ramp parking lots. It’s likely that 2021 will be similar with high fishing pressure as people look to get out of the house.

For the Hutchinson area, ice out was as early as it’s been for years, with all lakes fully open before April 1. This should give plenty of time for the water to warm and

could produce some very good sunfish and crappie fishing this spring. The 2021 fishing opener will be May 15 — a week later than normal due to May 2021 having five weekends. The drought from last year has had lasting effects into this spring as lake levels are still down 1-2 feet in many places.

Luckily this hasn’t had much effect on winterkill. Only Winsted Lake had significant winterkill outside of small ponds. 2021 fishing prospects should be good. No lakes stand out for that red hot bite, but walleye fishing should be steady at a number of lakes. bass fishing should be as good as always, but anglers should be advised that bass fishing has seen a rise in popularity

in the past few years and subsequently many popular lakes can be very busy most weekends. This is a great opportunity to try a new lake, fish during the week, or fish for different species. The Minnesota River in the southern part of the Hutchinson DNR fisheries management area is always great for getting away from others and catching something unique.  Walleye: For anglers looking for walleye, two lakes come to mind: Lake Marion, south of Hutchinson, and Big Swan, north of Hutchinson. Both of these lakes have had full parking lots for the past year and sam2021 Forecast to 16

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 15

PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DNR

Fish are a good source of protein, and sunfish generally have lower levels of mercury than other fish.

2021 Forecast from 15 pling results have shown that large numbers of fish are still present. Marion in particular has had a couple fantastic year classes of walleye that should produce good fishing.

The future for Marion continues to look great with a banner year class produced in spring of 2020 from natural reproduction.

Stella and Manuella, south of Darwin, are also two lakes to try. Anglers reported a number of fish caught in both lakes last year and good fishing should continue. If anyone catches a tagged walleye in either Stella, Manuella or Washington, they should call the Hutchinson DNR office and report their catch. Belle Lake is another great walleye resource in the area. It’s one of the traditional walleye factories for Hutchinson and both survey results and fishing reports have shown that it hasn’t slowed down.

A final strong walleye candidate is Lake Minnie-Belle. Minnie-Belle is unique for the area and reminiscent of the northern woods with its clear waters and abundance

16 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

of rooted aquatic plants. It can have some good walleye fishing, but anglers may need to mix up their strategies as Minnie-Belle is clearer than many other area lakes.  Bass: While Washington and Stella get most of the top press for Hutchinson-area bass fishing, there are many other lakes in the area that are just as good. For numbers of bass, Minnie-Belle and Francis both can provide some high number days. For those looking for a wall hanger, Jennie and Greenleaf both have the potential of 6-pound-plus fish. For a combination of both size and number Erie, Spring and Long by Dassel can all be good. Smallmouth bass are currently only in Stella, Manuella, Washington and Big Swan. Good numbers of smaller Smallmouth bass were seen in Big Swan last fall during walleye electrofishing. All four lakes are great bets to hook up with a bronzeback.

The majority of lakes in the Hutchinson area offer great bass fishing. Anglers should have their pick of both numbers and size with the wide variety of lakes.

 Sunfish: With a growing focus on larger bluegills, the McLeod/Meeker county area has some opportunities for anglers.

Jennie and Washington are both great lakes for anglers to take a shot at getting a true trophy 10-inch bluegill. Historically Jennie has produced the most 10-inch bluegill during surveys going back to 1993. Washington is also a great place to look for big bluegill.

Many large bluegill were seen during spring nettings in 2017 and 2019. Because of their direct connection, Stella is also a good option for big bluegills. For anglers looking for the biggest sunfish in the area, Minnie-Belle and Collinwood both put out giant hybrid sunfish. An 11.5-inch hybrid sunfish was sampled in Minnie-Belle in 2019. Ripley in Litchfield and Clear in Watkins are also both great options for larger sunfish for a meal.

Stahls is the best local option for numbers of small sunfish to keep the kids busy. In addition, a number of lakes in the area have good sunfish populations. Anglers are reminded that selective harvest is a great way

to get a meal and preserve great panfishing by releasing large sunfish to spawn and in particular males that are important for nest guarding and passing down parental male genetics. Releasing the biggest sunfish and keeping 7-8-inch fish can preserve large sunfish opportunities for years to come.  Crappie: The Hutchinson area can offer some good crappie fishing for people looking for something for the frying pan.

Belle and Swan Lake both have had good fishing for the past few years and anglers should be able to find some quality fish.

For anglers looking for true giants, MinnieBelle has the largest crappie in the area.

Those anglers chasing big crappie on Minnie-Belle should be warned, they can be difficult to find. Washington and Stella are two lakes that can offer a little in between with both size and numbers. As always, Dunn’s and Richardson lakes are historical good crappie lakes and should continue to offer good crappie fishing into the future.

Anglers may also encounter White crappie at either Dunn’s or Richardson. Finally, Clear Lake by New Ulm and Hanska are great options in the southern part of the Hutchinson DNR management area and may have some of the best crappie fishing for both size and numbers.  Northern Pike: The top Northern pike fishing opportunity in the Hutchinson area for large-sized fish has to be Lake Minnie-Belle. Minnie-Belle has had a protective slot limit of 24 inches to 36 inches for more than 15 years now and as a result the size structure in Minnie-Belle is tremendous for large fish opportunity. There is potential for fish more than 40 inches at Minnie-Belle.

Stella is another lake that anglers have the potential at a 40-inch fish. Anglers may not catch large numbers of fish, but the fish they do will likely be a quality size. Jennie and Collinwood also have some very nice fish, but also enough to keep you busy. For numbers of pike regardless of size, Clear Lake in Watkins and Round by Litchfield are both safe bets.  Other Species: Other options in the Hutchinson area include Little Mud Lake

by Watkins for Rainbow trout. Rainbows are stocked every spring and fall. Betty, Marion and Swan Lake are all places anglers can target Channel catfish. In addition, the Minnesota River is a great place for both Channel catfish and Flathead catfish. Otter Reservoir in Hutchinson is a great option for people to catch almost anything, especially with an abundance of shorefishing

FILE PHOTO

Anglers who have questions — whether it’s about what species they can fish for, what kind of bait is legal, or what kind of fish they can keep — can fi nd many fishing-related answers in the DNR’s 2021 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet or at Fish Minnesota, the fishing information webpage at mndnr.gov/ fishmn. opportunities. Fort Ridgley, Spring (Hindeman), Ramsey, and Seven Mile creeks are all opportunities to catch stream trout in the Hutchinson area. All four streams are stocked in the spring with both Rainbow and Brown trout, except for Seven Mile, which is only stocked with Brown trout.  Hutchinson area fisheries staff perform management, habitat and oversight

work for 94 fishing lakes and 38 rivers and streams in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, Nicollet, Brown, Redwood, Renville and western Wright counties.

For more information, call the Hutchinson Area Fisheries, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, at 320-753-0324 or visit dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/ hutchinson/index.html.

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 17

New sunfish regulations in effect on nearly 100 waters

BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

S

unfish anglers will need to closely check the 2021 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet and signs at water accesses for new sunfish limits that are now in effect on 94 waters.

The new regulations lower limits on specific waters as part of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources initiative to protect and improve sunfish sizes. These changes are in response to angler-driven concerns over the declining sizes of sunfish in Minnesota.

“Robust public input and support helped us move forward with the Quality Sunfish Initiative. We had more than 3,700 comments and over 85% of them were in favor of trying to improve sunfish sizes,” said Dave Weitzel, Grand Rapids area fisheries supervisor.

“It’s clear Minnesota anglers treasure sunfish and want to make sure we have lots of large sunfish in our lakes.”

The new regulations only modify daily limits on the affected waterbodies. Anglers can only keep the prescribed number of fish per day from the water but can return the next day for another limit as long as they don’t exceed the statewide inland water possession limit of 20 sunfish per angler.

The new sunfish regulations only include inland waters of Minnesota. Specifically, 44 waters will have a new daily limit of five sunfish, 31 will have a limit of 10 sunfish, 17 will have a limit of five sunfish and five crappie, and two will have a limit of 10 sunfish and five crappies.

In addition to the new waters, there are 57 waters that previously had reduced limits

18 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

BILL LINDNER/MINNESOTA DNR

New panfish regulations are in place on a number of lakes for 2021 so anglers should closely check regulations for new daily limits on specific lakes by finding the lake’s listing in the special regulations section of the 2021 regulations booklet. for sunfish and these regulations remain in effect.

“We’ve evaluated previous special sunfish regulations and found that reducing harvest can indeed produce large sunfish,” Weitzel said. “Sunfish grow slowly — about an inch per year — so a large sunfish can be more than a decade old.

It’s critical to protect these large fish from excessive harvest because they aren’t easily replaced.”

Sunfish spawn in large nesting colonies during the spring and early summer. Parental male sunfish build and defend nests. Females will select a male, lay eggs, and leave the eggs for the male to protect and fan with his fins. These nestbuilding male sunfish play an important role in repopulation, with the largest sunfish often getting the best spawning sites.

W hen a ng lers ke ep t he largest sunfish, the remaining small males don’t need to

compete with larger males to spawn. Once the larger males are gone, the smaller males devote less energy to growing.

Instead, they devote energy to spawning at younger ages and smaller sizes.

Minnesota fishing regulations use sunfish as the generic name for bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, longear, warmouth and their hybrids. More about sunfish biology and the Quality Sunfish Initiative is available on the DNR website.

OTHER NEW REGULATIONS Other fishing regulation changes in the 2021 regulations book include new experimental regulations on Island Lake Reservoir near Duluth. On this lake, which has abundant but very small walleye, fisheries managers aim to increase the size of walleye by increasing the possession limit and applying a protective slot limit.

New ex p er i ment a l l a ke trout regulations also are being implemented in Yawkey, Sagamore, Pennington and Mahnomen lakes. These mine pit lakes in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area have the potential to support naturally reproducing lake trout populations. Anglers there will be limited to harvesting one lake trout, which must be more than 20 inches, from each water.

Experimental regulations mean that the regulation is temporary. Fisheries mana ger s mu st t hen eva lu at e the regulation to determine whether it had the intended effect, usually after 10 years.

The 2021 Minnesota fishing regulations are available online and anywhere Minnesota fishing licenses are sold. The new sunfish regulations are found in the special regulations that begin on page 38 of the booklet.

Fishing is a popular activity along the Crow River. Local anglers can be seen fishing along the riverbank in Hutchinson.

PHOTO BY J.G. MILLER, HUTCHINSON

WILD about

WALLEYE Enjoy these recipes with your fresh catches this season

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

W

hile there are about 1.4 million licensed anglers in Minnesota, about 500,000 are expected to fish on Minnesota’s opening day of walleye and northern pike season on Saturday, May 15.

It’s not surprising the walleye is the most sought-after fish in Minnesota. It’s challenging to catch and its meaty, mild-flavored, white fillets are delicious to eat.

While walleye is No. 1, anglers also enjoy catching northern pike and muskie combined, then panfish, bass, crappie and trout.

While fishing is a hobby for many, it’s also more than that. It contributes $2.4 billion to the state’s economy in direct retail sales, ranking Minnesota third in the nation for angler expenditures. It also supports 35,500 Minnesota jobs.

With Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, it makes sense significantly more time is spent fishing on lakes than on rivers and streams. How much time? The average Minnesota angler spends 15 days fishing

each year and invests about $1,500.

The attractions of fishing are many. It’s offers an opportunity to be outdoors. It’s a way to relieve stress. The thought of catching the “big one” is challenging. It’s a way to spend time with friends and family. It also offers a reward at the end — a feeling of satisfaction when you eat the fish you caught.

With that said, what’s the best way to cook walleye? This is like asking what’s the best chili. Each person has notions about what tastes good. To find out your favorite preparation, enjoy these recipes with your fresh catches this season.

WALLEYE TACOS There are a lot of ingredients to prepare for this recipe, but this isn’t a hard recipe to make, and the tacos are so good. If you don’t have (or like) all the taco bar fixings, just use what you enjoy.

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil Walleye to 20

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 19

FILE PHOTO

Enjoy walleye tacos with your favorite fi xings.

Walleye from 19

DASSEL HISTORY CENTER AND ERGOT MUSEUM on the National Register of Historic Places

Ergot: from Blight to Blessing Seed Corn: from Maize to Amazing Magnus Johnson: from Swedish Immigrant Farmer to US Senator Plus Changing History and Art Exhibits and Programming Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

901 First St. N., Dassel, MN 55325

320.275.3077 dahs@dassel.com www.dasselhistorycenter.org

20 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced or put through a garlic press 1 1/2 pound walleye fillets (or another firm white fish) 6 (6-inch) corn tortillas 1/2 onion, finely chopped 1 cup chopped fresh tomato 1 cup diced avocado 1⁄2 cup cilantro leaves lime wedges hot sauce plain, nonfat Greek yogurt Directions: Combine the oil, spices, salt and garlic in a bowl. Cut the fish into 1-inch strips, put them in the bowl and use your fingers to coat them with the spice mixture. Set the fish aside. Heat a medium pan over medium heat for 3 minutes. One at a time, heat the tortillas on each side for about 30 seconds. Wrap them in a dish towel to keep warm. Put a large, nonstick pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Put the fish in the hot pan and cook for 3 minutes, then use the spatula to flip the pieces over. Cook on the other side until the fish breaks easily into flakes when you poke it with a fork, around 2 minutes. Give each person two tortillas and let everyone assemble the tacos with whatever ingredients they like. Serves: 3 Source: HealthPartners PowerUp

CRISPY WALLEYE FILLETS Ingredients: 2 cups dry potato flakes 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon seasoning salt 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (or to taste) 6 ounces of walleye fillets 2 cups butter-flavored shortening for fish Directions: In a medium bowl, combine the potato flakes, flour, garlic powder, seasoning salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Soak fish fillets in a bowl of cold water. In a deep skillet or deep fryer, melt and heat the shortening to 350 degrees. dredge fish fillets in dry seasoning mixture and fry in hot oil for five minutes or until fish flakes apart easily. Remove from hot oil and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve with tartar sauce, if desired.

Source: “Lake Washington Association Cookbook”

WALLEYE CAKES Ingredients: 1 sleeve saltine crackers 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely diced onion

JESSIE BROWN/IOWA DNR

Walleye to 22

If you enjoy crab cakes, give this recipe for Walleye Cakes a try.

Stay connected

“No Broken Promises...

Just Results”

Anytime, anywhere

Cell: 612-270-6031 | Office: 320-259-7674 JoeJanish11@gmail.com

Hutchinson

235 Franklin St SW

320.587.2323

Litchfield

421 County Road 34

320.593.2323

JOE JANISH

512 3rd Street N., Waite Park, MN

REALTOR®

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 21

Walleye from 21 1/4 cup finely diced bell pepper 3 eggs, slightly beaten 1 tablespoon hot sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 cups cooked walleye 1 can cannellini beans, mashed Salt and pepper to taste Oil (for frying) Directions: Crush the crackers into fine crumbs.

Add half to a large bowl and save the other half for breading. Melt the butter in a skillet and cook the onions and peppers until tender. Add the cooked vegetables, fish and remaining ingredients to the bowl with half of the cracker crumbs. Mix well.

Pat the fish mixture into cakes that are 2 inches wide. Gently dredge the cakes in the cracker crumbs, coating both sides. Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add the oil.

Gently place the cakes into the hot skillet and cook, in batches, until golden brown on both sides. Serve with your favorite

22 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

dipping sauce.

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

NEW ENGLAND-STYLE WALLEYE CHOWDER Ingredients: 2 cups diced potatoes 1 cup finely chopped onion 2 cups chopped raw carrots 2 cups finely chopped celery 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 teaspoons salt-free herb seasoning 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper 1 cup canned corn or 2 cups frozen corn 2 pounds of walleye fillets 6 cups of low-fat milk 8 ounces Neufchatel cheese or 1 cup plain Greek yogurt Cornstarch slurry: 2 tablespoons

cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water or milk Directions: Peel potatoes, onion and carrots.

Rinse after peeling and chop into bitesized pieces. Rinse and chop celery.

In a large heavy-bottomed soup pot, add broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, salt, paprika, garlic powder, cinnamon, parsley, herb seasoning and lemon pepper. Simmer 15-20 minutes until vegetables are tender. Add corn.

Cut fish into bite-sized pieces. Add fish, simmer for another 10 minutes. Add milk and Neufchatel cheese or yogurt.

Simmer slowly, stirring constantly, do not boil. After cheese has melted, add the cornstarch slurry to the soup. Continue stirring on low heat, until soup thickens and soup is heated and steaming. Makes 10-12 servings Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Recipe adapted from Marti Hunt, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

STEPHANIE MCCABE ON UNSPLASH.COM

Saluting the red, white and blue Celebrate America’s Independence Day with fireworks

BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

C

elebrate America’s Independence Day with special events ranging from parades to fireworks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended to contact events or venues directly in case of cancellation or postponement.  Annandale’s annual Fourth of July features a parade at 10 a.m. The parade route begins at Poplar Avenue to Cherry Street, Oak Avenue and Park Street (State Highway 24).

Fireworks are shot off at dusk at Annandale Municipal Park; annandale4thofjuly.org.  Chanhassen’s annual Fourth of July celebration features a parade at 2:30 p.m.

The route starts on West 78th Street and Chan View and follows Kerber, Santa Vera Drive, Laredo and ends on Chan View.

Fireworks are at 10 p.m. at Lake Ann Park; ci.chanhassen. mn.us.  Billed as the state’s oldest Fourth of July celebration, Delano’s first Independence Day observance was on July 4, 1857. This year, celebrate with a parade at 10:30 a.m. July 4. A 27-minute fireworks show takes place at the end of the festival at 10:30 p.m. on July 4; delano4th.com.  Excelsior Fourth of July features its Water Street Kids’ Parade at 11 a.m. Fireworks are at dusk on Lake Minnetonka; excelsior-lakeminnetonkachamber.com.  High Island Lake Conservation Club in New Auburn has traditionally hosted fireworks at dusk on July 4. For more information, visit the High Island Lake Conservation Club’s Facebook page.

 Red, Hot & Boom! in Mankato is 7-10 p.m. July 4, and features live music and fireworks at 10 p.m. This event is at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater, 310 Rock St. W. Admission is free; 507-385-6660.  Maynard features a day of activities with a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk.  Minneapolis Red, White & Boom on July 4, features music, family events and fireworks at dusk along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront; minneapolisparks.org.  Paynesville offers fireworks at dusk on July 4. They are set off over Lake Koronis.  Prinsberg hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration with a run, ice cream social, silent auction, parade and more. Fireworks at dusk.  Spicer’s Fourth of July festivities feature the Grand Day Parade at 10 a.m. The parade route follows Lake Avenue. The fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. at Saulsbury Beach. The best

place to watch the show is from a boat on Green Lake; willmarlakesarea.com.  St. Cloud’s annual Fourth of July fireworks takes place at 10 p.m. For best viewing, visit Wilson and Hester parks, and along Fifth Avenue North. The St. Cloud Municipal Band plays its annual Independence Day Concert at 8:30 p.m. in Hester Park. There are fun and educational activities for kids of all ages, and food vendors in both Hester and Wilson Parks starting at 2 p.m.; stcloudfireworks.org.  Waconia Fireworks Festival is at dusk July 4. Fireworks are launched from Lake Waconia Regional Park; destinationwaconia.org.  Watercade in Litchfield is hosting a fireworks show at dusk on Friday, July 9, over Lake Ripley; watercade.com.

For more Minnesota fireworks shows, visit Explore Minnesota at exploreminnesota.com.

SPRING 2021 | DOCKSIDE 23

NEED IT. RENT IT. • Nifty 50ft. Self-Drive Work Platform • 42ft. And 50ft. Towable Personal Lifts • Scissor Lifts • Tree Spade For Skid Steers • Hydraulic Post Pounder • Scaffolding • Brush Chippers • Rock-Vac • Toro Stump Chipper • Jackhammers • Bobcat Attachments • Floor Sanders • High Pressure Washers • Tractors & Loaders • Landscaping Equip.

• Bobcats & Trailers • Tents, Tables & Chairs • Dingo Track Unit With Attachments • Rototillers - All Size

• Carpet Fans & Dehumidifiers • Brillion Grass & Alfalfa Seeders • HYD. Dump Trailers • Backhoes & Excavators • Posthole Augers • Plumbing Equipment • Carpet Cleaning Eq. • Power Buggy w/Tracks • Elec. Stair Climbing Cart • Moving Trucks & Trailers • Storage Units • Insulation Blowers • Insulation Vacuum • Vibrating Rollers • Brush Mowers • DR Equipment • Ozone Odor Remover • Gas & Electric Water Pumps • Excavators • Hilti Elec. Power Sledge & Drill

COUPON

COOLING SYSTEM TUNE-UP

ONLY

$89

• Pressure test for leaks • Flush engine, radiator & heater core • Install new anti-freeze to -35 degrees & PH level between 9.8 & 10.5 • Inspect cooling fan for proper operation Plus tax & EPA disposal fee. Expires 6/11/21

TRANSMISSION TUNE-UP • Install New Trans. Filter • Change 100% of fluid • Install New Trans. Pan Gasket

INCLUDES

FREE!!!

ONLY

$179

• Flush valve body & torque converter • Adjust throttle linkage • Inspect for leaks

• Check integrity of hitch and receiver • Check integrity of trailer light wiring • Check integrity of electric brake wiring Synthetic extra. Plus tax & EPA disposal fee. Expires 6/11/21

We Service ALL Makes & Models

WE ADD ITEMS OFTEN, CALL US FOR WHAT YOU NEED!

Call or visit our website for appointment

Hutchinson 575 Jefferson St SE 305 Adams St NE • Over 450 Items to Rent SorensensSalesAndRentals.com (320) 587-2162

320-234-9690 www.ProAutoMN.com

Our Services:

320-296-2623 ezdockandlift@gmail.com

Find us on:

24 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2021

- Hometown Porta-Dock Dealer - Dock & Lift Installation/Removal - Barge Service - Boat Winterization

- Shrink wrap and Storage - Storm Damage - Many other miscellaneous requests