Lakeshore information

from Residents Guide 2022

Townships

Community

DNR offices in Park Rapids

DNR FISHERIES

Anglers who fish in Hubbard, Wadena and eastern Becker counties benefit from the management, habitat and oversight work of the Park Rapids area fisheries staff.

The Park Rapids Fisheries office is located at 301 South Grove Avenue. Call 218-732-4153 or email parkrapids. fisheries@state.mn.us.

Information on lake and stream surveys, shoreline alterations, aquatic plants, exotic species, boating regulations, fish consumption advisories, etc. can be found there. Lake users should report the presence and location of any exotic specimens they find to this office.

Nicole Kovar is the Northwest Region aquatic invasive species specialist. She can be reached at 732-8960, Ext. 222 or nicole. kovar@state.mn.us.

DNR WILDLIFE

The Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office is located at 603 1st St. West, next to the Area Forestry Office. The staff conducts a variety of surveys on both plant and animal species. Information on hunting seasons, wildlife, their habitat requirements and technical assistance is available upon request. Call 732-8452.

Hunters, trappers and wildlife watchers in Wadena, Cass, Becker, Clearwater and Hubbard counties benefit from the management, habitat and oversight work of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Park Rapids Area wildlife staff.

DNR FORESTRY

The Park Rapids Area Forestry Office is located at 607 1st St. West. Staff will help with questions about land management. These concerns may be tree planting, timber sales, timber stand improvement, woodland stewardship plans, state land recreation, leases and easements and any questions you may have on open burning and permits. Stop in the office or call 732-3309.

DNR Ecological Services are located at 110 7th St. West, Suite 301, Park Rapids. Hydrologist Darrin Hoverson may be reached at 732-8960, Ext. 225 or darrin.hov@state.mn.us.

TURN IN POACHERS

To report a violation, call 800-652-9093 24 hours a day, or key #TIP on your cell phone. If you wish to remain completely anonymous, you must contact TIP by phone. Callers may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for reporting a violation that leads to an arrest. The reward amount is determined by the seriousness of the crime reported.

County on alert for aquatic invasive species

Boaters and public water users should use AIS best management practices and should expect to see watercraft inspectors at many public accesses across Hubbard County.

When out at the boat access, remember to clean, drain and dispose. That means boaters must clean their watercraft of all aquatic plants, mud and prohibited invasive species; drain all water by lowering the motor, removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport, and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, a fisherman can drain the existing bait water and refill the container with bottled or tap water. Remember, that it is the law.

As a courtesy to the public, the county operates a free decontamination station, located at 812 Henrietta Ave. S., Park Rapids. Typically, it’s available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. by appointment. Call 218-252-6738 ahead of time to make an appointment. The station is staffed by watercraft inspectors who have special training and certification from the DNR. A typical decontamination is pretty quick, usually about 15 minutes.

If you have questions about the Hubbard County AIS Program or have suspicion of a new AIS infestation, call the Hubbard County Environmental Services Department at 218-732-3890 or stop in at 301 Court Ave., Park Rapids. They are located on the second floor of the courthouse.

Community

COLA leads protection of lakes, rivers

The Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA), formed in 1988, represents 30 area lake associations with over 2,660 members on 42 lakes. You love these lakes! When moving your boat, gear or equipment between water bodies, clean off vegetation, mud and marine animals, pull plugs and drain water. Boat and equipment decontamination is free in Park Rapids at the Hubbard County Watercraft Decontamination Station; On Call 218-252-6738. Dry docks and equipment for 21 days between lakes. Remember to dispose of unwanted bait and fish parts in the trash. Make your commitment! Live our vision also as a “leader in protecting Hubbard County lakes and rivers.” Visit www.HubbardColaMN.org to learn more.

County has shoreland, septic ordinances

Hubbard County has a shoreland management ordinance which has jurisdiction over lands located within 1,000 feet of a classified lake and 500 feet of a classified river or stream.

A land use permit is necessary for all structures and all legal additions to existing structures.

A shoreland alteration permit is required for rock riprap and most grading, excavating, or filling projects in shoreland areas.

A current compliance inspection for septic treatment systems must be on file prior to issuance of any sewered structure land use permits or to apply for conditional use permits, variances or property subdivisions.

Hubbard County has a Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance, which requires septic permits for all new installations, alterations, extensions and certain repairs of existing septic systems. A site evaluation and septic system design from a licensed septic system designer must be submitted for approval prior to the issuance of a septic permit. The ordinance covers the design, location, installation, use and maintenance of subsurface sewage treatment systems.

Privies (outhouses) are allowed, provided they are maintained in a clean condition and do not constitute a public nuisance. Privies require a site evaluation design and a septic permit.

The second floor of the Hubbard County Government Center is the best place to go for information about the shoreland management ordinance, land use permits, well testing, septic systems and E911 addressing. Permit application forms and regulations are available online at www.co.hubbard. mn.us or by calling the Environmental Services Department at 218-732-3890.