Dockside - 2022 by Big Fish Works

SPRING 2022 Complimentary Copy

A MAGAZINE FOR LAKE AND RIVER LIVING

READY TO REEL IN THE BIG ONE? Find out what’s biting and where in the 2022 fishing forecast for McLeod, Meeker and Kandiyohi counties

Planning ahead: 10 tips on how to make this your best fishing year ever Preventing the spread of AIS: Meeker County has added a decontamination unit at Lake Minnie Belle Picnic like pro: Everything you need to know to safely eat and play outdoors How about that? Minnesota has a new game fish species

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2 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2022

A magazine for lake and river living SPRING 2022 | VOL. 14, NO. 1

To help plan your fishing adventures, check out this year’s fishing forecast

PUBLISHED BY

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

PUBLISHER

4 Are you ready to drop a line? These 10 tips will help make this the best fishing year ever

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

NEWS Kay Johnson: 320-552-5076 email: johnson@hutchinsonleader.comt

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

Sales representatives Colleen Piechowski: 320-753-3653 email: piechowski@hutchinsonleader.com

Lake Minnie Belle adds decontamination unit to aid in controlling invasive species

Ronda Kurtzweg: 320-753-3652 email: kurtzweg@hutchinsonleader.com 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 Hutchinson Leader and the Litchfield Independent Review newspapers. It is distributed free to lake and river property owners in the Hutchinson and Litchfield area. 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 general manager.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is June 10-12

Looking forward to launching your boat this season? Follow these tips for boat and trailer maintenance

Did you know Minnesota has a new game fish species?

Celebrate the Fourth with parades and fi reworks

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 3

PHOTO BY FEDERICO GIAMPIERI ON UNSPLASH.COM

Spending time on the water, enjoying all that nature has to offer and catching fish is pretty awesome, but there’s something even better — hooking someone new, especially a young person, on the joys of fishing.

10 tips on how to make this your best fishing year ever Y ou can smell it in the air. Every now and then, a warm, fresh breath of spring. And to you and millions like you, that can mean only one thing ... fishing! As our country gradually warms up from a long, cold, nasty winter, now is the time to get ready to make this your

4 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2022

best fishing year ever! Here are 10 tips from the fishing enthusiasts at Rapala on what you can do now to be ready to hit the water and start catching.  Declutter the tackle box: If you’ve been fishing awhile, no doubt your tackle box might be feeling a bit cluttered. On those rainy days, bring the tackle box

inside your home and pluck out the stuff that doesn’t work and focus on what does. Taking the time to organize your gear will help you spend more time fishin’ and less time messing with your stuff.  Put on fresh line: What comes between you and a trophy fish? Your fishing line, of course. Don’t tempt fate. The

experts at Sufix fishing line recommend changing out fishing line at least once a year. As you take off old line, look for frays and nicks — this may be a sign that one or more of the guides on your fishing rod is cracked or even missing.  Smooth fishing rod guides: Use a cotton swab and run it around the inside of each

PHOTO BY SUSAN HOLT SIMPLSON ON UNSPLASH.COM

If you’ve been fishing awhile, no doubt your tackle box might be feeling a bit cluttered. On those rainy days, bring the tackle box inside your home and pluck out the stuff that doesn’t work and focus on what does. guide of your fishing rod. This will help you see if you have any cracks or breaks in your guides, which could cut your fishing line — when you have a fish on the line.  Watch fishing videos: Getting outside and spending time on the water is what fishing is all about. However, watching how-to videos on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ website and the Rapala YouTube Channel can help you catch more fish year-round, on open water, in saltwater and on hardwater (ice fishing).  Shar p hooks equals more bites: What’s the first point of contact with a fish? It’s the point of your fishing hook. Sharp hooks means you’ll catch more fish; dull hooks means you’ll be one frustrated angler. So take some time to replace hooks on your go-to lures. It’s

also important to select the right hook, too, say the hook gurus at VMC, one of the world’s largest fishing hook manufacturers. The mouths of fish vary from species to species, so make sure to select a hook that meets the challenge.  Go with your confidence bait: Nearly every angler has their go-to lure. It’s that one lure that seems to catch fish when all others fail. When you find your confidence bait, stock up on it. Have a few more of that lure tucked away in your tackle box for when you might need them even more. Don’t have a confidence bait yet? Ask your friends and family for suggestions.  Experiment more: You wouldn’t play an 18-hole golf course with just a putter. Different lures are made to catch fish under different conditions.

This year, treat yourself to a lure you’ve never tried before to learn from it and expand your ability to catch fish anytime, anywhere, under any condition. Or, try a lure, such as an ice fishing lure, for deep water bass and walleye in open water — sounds crazy, but it works.  Play fantasy fishing: That’s right. Playing Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing gives you an opportunity to win some incredible prizes. At the same time, it allows you to track the world’s best bass fishing pros and watch how they manage to catch fish even in the most difficult conditions. Understanding what they do can improve your real-world, on-the-water fishing.  Try someplace new: Anglers can be creatures of habit. We like to go to our favorite lake and often go to our favorite fish-

ing hole time and time again. While you might be catching fish, you also may be limiting yourself. This year, try someplace new. Go to a new water. Try a different way of fishing, such as using a kayak. Go for a different species and see if your knowledge in bass fishing applies to a species such as walleye, muskies or redfish.  Introduce someone new to fishing: Spending time on the water, enjoying all that nature has to offer and catching fish is pretty awesome, but there’s something even better — hooking someone new, especially a young person, on the joys of fishing. Take some time this year to intentionally teach someone about how to fish, or how to fish for a different species. It just may be your biggest catch of all. Source: Brandpoint

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Ready to reel in the big one? Hutchinson and Spicer DNR fisheries management areas weigh in with their 2022 fishing outlook for McLeod, Meeker and Kandiyohi counties BY TANNER STEVENS, HUTCHINSON DNR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREA, AND DAVE COAHRAN, SPICER DNR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AREA

t won’t be long before Minnesota’s fishing opener on May 14 is here. To help plan your outdoor angling adventures, the Hutchinson and Spicer DNR fisheries management areas are providing information about the 2022 fishing season for McLeod, Meeker and Kandiyohi counties.

GENERAL OUTLOOK FOR MCLEOD AND MEEKER COUNTIES The 2021 fishing season was more of a return to normal in the wake of COVID-19. Fishing license sales declined slightly, but were still a bit higher than the 10-year average previous to 2020. Subsequently fishing pressure did seem to ease a bit with not so many lakes as busy as in 2020. For the Hutchinson area; ice out should be about average with most lakes out by mid-April. The 2022 fishing opener will be later than normal — May 14 — due to the late timing of the first Saturday in May. Despite breaking last fall the drought from last year has had lasting effects into this spring as lake levels are still down 1-2 feet in many places. It is unknown currently how this will effect winterkill, but right now there is not much evidence for extensive winterkill. Fishing prospects in 2022 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 during 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 Belle, north of Hutchinson. Traditionally both have been top Walleye lakes for years, and there’s good reason for it. While Marion is the superstar with big year classes and impressive net catches, Belle is consistent with good year classes and fishing most years. This winter Belle had an excellent bite, and that bite should continue early in the season. Despite high net catches for a few years now, the bite at Marion has been tough with a lot of forage for Walleye to eat. May however is a great time to take advantage of post spawn Walleye that are hungry. Stella and Manuella, south of Darwin, are also two lakes to try. Anglers continue to report a number of fish from both lakes and good fishing should continue. New this year will be tagged Walleye

SUBMITTED PHOTO

For the scoop on fishing in Minnesota, turn to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. For answers to all your questions, visit dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/index. html. in Collinwood Lake as part of new study looking at genetics and angler harvest. If you catch a tagged Walleye in Collinwood call or email the Hutchinson DNR office and report the catch. Big Swan Lake is another great Walleye resource in the area. It’s been a hot lake the last few years, and that should continue for a while. A final strong Walleye candidate is Lake MinnieBelle. Minnie-Belle is unique for the area and reminiscent of the northern woods with its clear waters and abundance 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, Francis and Manuella can provide some high number Guide to 8

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 7

GUIDE continued from 7

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. To get away from the crowds Dunn’s, Richardson and Stahls are all good. Smallmouth Bass are currently only in Stella, Manuella, Washington and Big Swan. 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 variety of lakes.  Sunfish: For the first time in 20 years there is a new special regulation in the Meeker County area. Both Minnie-Belle and Ripley had 5 fish bag limit reductions enacted starting March 1, 2022. The hope for these is to increase the number of quality fish anglers catch. Naturally both these lakes are a good starting placing for looking for quality fish. The top Sunfish lake in the area however may be Francis by Kingston. There is a combination of both good size and numbers. Otherwise 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 ’Gills. Clear by Watkins is also another top Sunfish lake in the area. 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

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DNR

If you’re looking to introduce children to the sport of fishing, save the weekend of June 1012. It’s Take a Kid Fishing Weekend in Minnesota. Minnesotans age 16 or older who take a child 15 or younger fishing don’t need a license on this special weekend. 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-inch and 8-inch fish can preserve large Sunfish opportunities for years to come.  Crappie: Area lakes can offer some good Crappie fishing for people looking for something for the frying pan. Belle and Swan Lake are traditional spots for many local anglers. Clear by Watkins also has been good for a number of years now. For anglers looking for true giants, Minnie-Belle has the largest Crappies in the area. Those anglers chasing big Crappies on Minnie-Belle should be warned, they can be diffi cult to fi nd. 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 historically

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.  N o r t h e r n P i ke : T he top Norther n Pike fishing opportunity in the area for large-sized fish has to be Lake Minnie-Belle. Minnie-Belle has had a protective slot limit of 24 inch to 36 inch for more than 20 years now and as a result the size structure in Minnie-Belle is tremendous for a large fish opportunity. There is potential for fish over 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. Jen-

nie and Collinwood also have some very nice fish, but also enough to keep you busy. For numbers of Pike regardless of size, Francis and Round by Litchfield are both safe bets.  Other species: Other options in the area include Little Mud Lake by Watkins for Rainbow Trout. Rainbows are stocked every spring and fall. Betty, Marion, and Swan lakes 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 opportunities. Fort Ridgley, Spring (Hindeman), Ramsey, and Seven Mile creeks are all opportunities to catch stream trout in the 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.

FILE PHOTO

Minnesota offers year-round fishing opportunities for anglers.

GENERAL OUTLOOK FOR SPICER AREA Quality angling opportunities for Panfish, Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass for shore-based and boat anglers alike are numerous in the Spicer fisheries area. The majority of lakes (30) in this area are found in Kandiyohi County within just a few gallons of “liquid gold” from the towns of Willmar and New LondonSpicer. This area also includes lakes near Paynesville (Rice and Koronis), Benson (Camp and Monson) and south of Granite Falls (Wood, Cottonwood, Schoolgrove, Lady Slipper and Tyson). As of this writing (4/12/2022), the wind and rain without a whole lot of help from the sun have opened up the shallower lakes (e.g., Elizabeth, Lillian, Big Kandiyohi, Cottonwood and so on). Iceout dates on the deeper lakes such as Green and Koronis are expected to be later than average (late April/ early May). When mother nature finally decides to warm the shallows, shore anglers near Willmar can expect some great crappie angling on Foot Lake, especially

DEBORAH ROSE

Support walleye fishing by purchasing the Minnesota walleye stamp. Buy your stamp wherever DNR licenses are sold. Pictured is the 2022 Minnesota Walleye Stamp by Ronald Engebretson of Owatonna. between the fairgrounds and the radio station. Other shore based potential spring warmup hot spots for Panfish would include the northeast bay on Elkhorn, under the east bridge/ bay on Nest, the south inlet on West Norway and the outlet of Lake Florida and maybe even give Gina between the towns

of Kandiyohi and Spicer off the north gravel road a try for some nice sunnies. On Lake Koronis, try the State Highway 55 bridge area and at the far west access. An accessible shorefishing spot to try for toothy fish on the Walleye/Northern Pike opener would be Ringo Lake (State Highway 71) and possibly

between Minnetaga and Kasota lakes depending on extent of winterkill and of course anywhere where there is flow. Given the relatively long winter and below normal water levels, some partial winterkill on a few shallow waterbodies Guide to 10

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 9

FILE PHOTO

No matter the season, Minnesota anglers are ready to head to the lake. Here Ice fishermen fill the frozen surface of Lake Ripley for the Litchfield Wintercade fishing tournament in February.

GUIDE continued from 9

is expected. There has been a handful of dead fish reports thus far (e.g., Mud/Monongalia near New London, Minnetaga, Elizabeth and so on). Not so fast though on ruling these lakes out this year. Our field crew will set some test nets prior to the opener in Elizabeth and Minnetaga and possibly others and if it goes like it usually does, there will be plenty of fish left. Give us a call in early May at 320409-2044 for winterkill/testnet updates. Lake Wakanda water levels because of a planned partial drawdown the previous two summers are expected to be too low to easily launch trailered boats until sometime after May 14 when water levels are expected to come back to normal. Each year, invasive species are being spread to more and more area and statewide lakes causing harm to economies, environments and human health. Clean your watercraft, Drain all water, Dispose of unused bait. Protect your waters by following all Minnesota Aquatic

10 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2022

Invasive Species Laws found at www.dnr.state.mn.us or refer to the 2022 Minnesota Fishing Regulations booklet now in multiple languages. The current Minnesota Infested Waters List selected just for Kandiyohi County lakes with zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil now includes Andrew, Calhoun, Diamond, Eagle, Elkhorn, Florida, Games, George, Green, Henderson, Nest and Norway. Starry Stonewort is now found in 18 lakes statewide first occurring in Lake Koronis (identified in 2015) where it reaches nuisance levels outcompeting native vegetation in several areas of the lake despite widespread control efforts. Waterbodies in the Spicer fisheries area that are managed with regulations differing from statewide regulations include; Sunfish daily possession limit of 10 on Long (near Hawick), Nest and Florida and five on Diamond and George; Crappie daily possession limit of five on George; Walleye daily possession limit of three on Green; Bass on Long (near Hawick) between 14-20 inches must be immediately released.

 Walleye: Lakes where recent fisheries surveys show excellent populations of adults include shallow lakes Big Kandiyohi, Minnetaga, Carrie, Ringo, Wakanda (when water levels come back up), Wood and deeper lakes Diamond, Green, Koronis, Point. Lakes not on the previous list that may have excellent Walleye populations based on fall electrofishing samples of young walleye three to five years ago include Andrew and Eagle and shallower lakes like Cottonwood, Swenson, Lady Slipper and Long (by Willmar).  Bass: Just about every lake starting a few miles north of Willmar in Kandiyohi County is worth angling for Largemouth Bass (by Willmar), Florida and Koronis being particularly good right now. Smaller lakes with good bass populations include Monson, Camp and Bass. Weekend bass tour neys are very popular on Green and Koronis. Lakes with excellent Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass angling are Koronis, Next, Eagle and Green.  Sunfish: Lakes where recent fisheries surveys show ex-

cellent populations of qualitysized Bluegill include Florida, Long (near Hawick), Nest, Mud/ Monongalia (New London), George, Elkhorn, Diamond, Camp and Bass.  Crappie: Look to Foot, Long (near Willmar), Rice (near Paynesville) and Ringo lakes for some of the better populations of Crappie recently sampled in Spicer area lakes.  Northern Pike: Look to East Solomon, Koronis and Rice, Mud/Monongalia (New London), Diamond, Camp and Green for the best combination of numbers and size right now.  Yellow Perch: Cottonwood Lake may be the place to be for larger Yellow Perch in addition to Big Kandiyohi and Wakanda (when water levels come back up). Also potentially Lady Slipper, Lillian, School Grove and Tyson. For more information, email Tanner Stevens, Hutchinson DNR Fisheries Management Area, at tanner.stevens@state. mn.us, or call 320-753-0343, and Dave Coahran, Spicer DNR Fisheries Management Area, at dave.coahran@state.mn.us, or call 320-409-2040.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF AIS Meeker County adds decontamination unit at Lake Minnie Belle to aid in controlling invasive species BY BRENT SCHACHERER schacherer@hutchinsonleader.com

uring the summer of 2021, people from 18 different states put a boat into one of Meeker County’s 104 lakes. That was actually down slightly from a traffic survey in 2020, which showed boats from 21 states entertain county lakes. Either way, those are impressive numbers that speak volumes about the area’s popularity as a recreational destination. But for those concerned about protecting lakes from foreign invaders — zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort and the like — that heavy and wide-ranging aquatic traffic is a bit worrisome. That’s part of the reason the county added another weapon to its arsenal in 2021, as it continues efforts to stem the tide of infested lakes, which currently numbers nine. In June 2021, the public access on the east side of Lake Minnie Belle became home to a new watercraft decontamination unit, which can clean and remove aquatic invasive species from boats. “Everybody kind of thinks it’s everywhere, and everyone thinks, well, why are we doing this, because it’s just going to be everywhere.” Mike Solbrack, chairman of the Meeker

SUBMITTED PHOTO

AIS to 12

Aquatic invasive species inspectors trained on how to use the decontamination unit at Lake Minnie Belle.

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 11

Boaters pull their trailered watercraft onto a collection pad where it is hit with pressurized, heated water to remove any aquatic invasive species, or AIS.

AIS continued from 11

County Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee, said. “But the stuff’s been around a long time, and less than 10% of our lakes have AIS. So, you know, this prevention stuff, I think it’s important.” That “prevention stuff” has included boat inspectors at 12 to 15 county lakes throughout the summer the past few years. Despite those efforts, nine lakes — Clear, Erie, Little Mud, Manuella, Minnie Belle, Ripley, Stella, Washington and Wolf — have been infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, and three of those — Stella, Washington and Minnie Belle — also have documented zebra mussel infestations. Minnie Belle’s zebra mussel infestation was confirmed by the Department of Natural

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Resources in October 2020, as the species was found at two different sites in the lake, indicating an established population, according to the DNR. The arrival of AIS in a lake can be devastating. Zebra mussels compete with native lake species for food and habitat, and they also can cut the feet of swimmers, reduce boat motor performance and damage water intake pipes. Eurasian watermilfoil is an aquatic vegetation that creates dense mats at the water’s surface, stifles native aquatic plants and harms food, shelter and nesting habitat for native animals. Both AIS present a serious threat to Meeker County’s status as a destination for recreational boaters and anglers. Thus, the investment in boat inspectors, and now, a decontamination unit. “By staffing a decontamination unit it mitigates some of

that traffic we have going from our infested waters to our uninfested waters, and that allows us to minimize the amount of unchecked traffic that we have going towards our lakes that don’t have zebra mussels or don’t have Eurasian milfoil or starry stonewort,” said Ariana Richardson, Meeker County AIS coordinator. Richardson was hired in 2019 as Meeker County’s first paid AIS coordinator. In that position, she works with the AIS Advisory Committee, as well as the contractors who hire and manage the watercraft inspectors at county lakes. Meeker County’s proactive approach and active advisory committee members have made a big difference in efforts to minimize AIS spread in county lakes, Richardson said. “Not all counties have advisory committees or coordinators, and some don’t have, you

know, both, if they do have one,” Richardson said. “So one of the big things to kind of brag about, I think, is how active our committee has been. We’ve had folks that have been on (the advisory committee) since the very beginning (in 2014).” Meeker County and its AIS Advisory Committee receive funding from the state each year and use it to fund 15 to 20 projects on county lakes, including projects like training residents and lake association members to do watercraft inspections and identify AIS, supporting boat inspections a nd usi ng ha r vesters a nd chemical treatments to manage invasive species in county lakes. The state has provided $10 million to counties since the statewide AIS program’s inception in 2014. Meeker County received $228,460 in state AIS aid in 2021, which was set aside

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Conservation Officer Hannah Mishler and zebra mussel-sniffing K9 Storm inspect watercraft at a public access area during the summer of 2019. to assist in treatment, additional inspection hours and outreach efforts. Additionally, the county allocated $124,000 in community grants for lake improvements. The decontamination unit, which cost about $18,000, was paid for out of a newly established infestation response fund, which supports early detection and response to recent infestations in the county, and was a purchase that was “carefully considered,” Richardson said. The county contracts with a company that hires the inspectors, trains them and oversees their employment. Inspection hours were trimmed somewhat in 2021 to allow for more hours of staffing at the decontamination unit.

The decontamination unit is a self-contained, high-pressure, high-heat wash unit that can decontaminate watercraft at the public water access without allowing any of the wash water to run off. Boat owners drive their trailered watercraft onto the collection pad to use the system. Since it opened, the unit has been used for 11 decontaminations in June and July 2021. “The goal is ... when you bring your boat in, and it has any kind of standing water or water left in the bilge or bays or live well, they will use whatever tools are necessary” to decontaminate it, Richardson said. “They use the decontamination unit to create contact with the watercraft surfaces of concern — heated water up

to 140 degrees — because 10 seconds of contact with that heated water kills off any kind of (AIS) or zebra mussels.” Watercraft inspections and suggestions for decontamination have been contentious in some areas, according to Richardson. Some boaters have felt the inspections an unnecessary burden, or an effort to catch other violations. That led to an increase around the state in confrontations between boaters and inspectors, especially during the summer of 2020, she said. But early efforts in boat inspections and its proactive approach seem to have limited those problems at Meeker County lakes. “We’ve really been able to tear down, perhaps, misunder-

standing at the launch, or animosity at the launch locally,” Richardson said. “You know, I didn’t really get complaints of people being angry or having anything bad happen last summer.” In the end, Richardson said, inspections and the new decontamination unit are part of what she hopes can be a team approach to keeping Meeker County’s recreational waterways clean and safe for everyone to use. “Our main message we want to get across to folks is that when we offer or require the decontaminations, boaters do their part to protect the lakes by allowing us the extra few minutes to help maintain their equipment and protect our lakes,” Richardson said.

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 13

FILE PHOTO

Whether you sit at a picnic table or blanket on the ground, eating outdoors is fun for all ages.

PICNIC LIKE A PRO Follow these tips for the perfect outdoor picnic THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURES dnr.state.mn.us/picnic/index.html

icnicking in parks is a Minnesota tradition. Here are some tips to help you pull off the perfect picnic, whether it’s your fire or you’re an old pro.  Where do you want to go? A formal state park picnic area with picnic tables, or a quiet spot on the beach? Shady

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spot under the trees, or scenic overlook? Your location will drive what you pack and how you carry it.  Most state parks have picnic tables, but it can be nice to pack a blanket and just sit on the ground. Choose a blanket that rolls up easily and is water resistant, that you don’t mind getting dirty. Or sit in style and pack your own lawn chair!  A picnic can be as simple as crackers, cheese and fresh vegetables or as fancy as you can dream with wine, several courses and dessert.  Pack that picnic right! Always pack food — especially sandwiches — in hard

reusable containers so your food doesn’t squish. If you are packing your picnic in a bag or backpack, try putting a light cutting board between stacks of containers. This will create a shelf in your bag and keep your picnic from falling over and getting messy.  Put aside a set of spoons, knives and forks for picnicking. Wrap them in a cloth napkin with a rubber band and you’ll never have to eat with your fingers again.  Freeze your drinks and use them to keep your food cool. Nothing ruins a picnic faster than food that has gone bad. As the day warms up your ice

packs will thaw into refreshing cold drinks.  While digging in the dirt for bugs can be fun, eating them is not. Pack a travel-sized hand sanitizer to clean up with before you eat, or pack wet wipes for a quick clean-up and an extra plastic bag to carry out any garbage.  Don’t forget about Fido! If your four-legged friend is coming along, make sure to bring an empty container and water so he is well hydrated too. A dog bone treat will keep your friend busy while you enjoy your picnic.  Bringing children? Make your picnic family time by

bringing a few easy games. See list later in story.  Invite your neighbors. A picnic is a perfect excuse to sit down and catch up with a friend under a blue summer sky. Afterwards, go for a hike or enjoy a swim. Who knows, maybe you’ll create a new tradition or lasting memories.  Take a deep breath, pack a snack, find a quiet spot and enjoy a picnic this summer. — Kelsey Olson, interpretive naturalist at Sibley State Park

EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER OUTSIDE Picnics and parks go hand in hand. Here are just a few of the benefits of sharing a special meal outdoors with friends and family:  Everything tastes better outside.  Supplement vitamin D naturally by picnicking in the sun.  Entertain without cleaning your house — before and after the party.  Cheap romantic date.  Unlike some restaurants, no dress codes.  Pick your own view and your own distractions.  Unplug from technology.  Play yard games before, during, or after your meal.  Being outdoors is a natural stress reliever.

CAMPFIRE COOKING Feeling a little ambitious? Why not cook a hot meal over a cheery campfire? Choose one of three ways to cook over a fire that will satisfy your taste buds. Campfire cooking safety tips:  Always build the smallest campfire, building just what you need.  Fire is hot! Please be careful when putting in, moving, stirring, or taking out food from a campfire.  Cook over the coals, not the direct flame. Food can burn

quickly over the direct flame.  Put your fire completely out when done.  Aluminum foil is a Camp Cook’s best friend! Use heavy duty foil or double the sheets when cooking over a fire.

FANTASTIC FOIL MEATLOAF DINNER Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds ground beef 1 package onion soup mix 1 egg 3/4 cup bread crumbs 1/3 cup ketchup Approximately 3 cups potatoes (frozen potatoes that has now thawed in your cooler work well) Approximately 3 cups veggies (try peas and corn), cut into small 1/2-inch pieces for faster cooking, Salt and pepper Instructions: Cut two pieces of foil for each patty. The foil pieces should be 2 times as wide as a hamburger patty and 2 1/2 times as long. Place two foil layers on the table so they form an “X.” In a bowl, mix the ground beef, onion soup mix, egg and bread crumbs. Form the meat mixture into 6 patties and place each meat patty on two pieces of foil. Spoon a tablespoon of ketchup on top of each patty. Place 1/2 cup of potatoes and 1/2 cup of vegetables around the meatloaf. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Bring up the long sides of the foil packet and fold over tightly. Leave a little room at the top of the foil for air circulation. Then fold the other two sides in tightly to form your foil packet. Place foil packet in the nice coals of your fire, cook for 15 minutes, rotate the packet, and cook for another 20 minutes. Make sure your meatloaf is fully cooked through with no pink in the center of the meat. When you fold back your foil, steam will escape and it will

FILE PHOTO

Looking for outdoor fun? Combine a picnic with games such as a bean bag toss, picnic blanket checkers or bobbing for doughnuts. be hot. Please do so carefully. Enjoy! Makes 6 servings.

BROWNIE ORANGE-LICIOUS Ingredients: Oranges, brownie mix Instructions: Cut orange in half. If it won’t sit flat on the table, shave off bottom until it does. Scoop out the orange pulp inside, and eat the orange pulp! Take two sheets of aluminum foil and wrap around orange, leaving the top open. Mix brownie mix according to directions. Look for the kind where you just add water. Fill two-thirds of the orange up with prepared brownie mix.

Place on top of coals on grill or next to coals in campfire. Bake 20 minutes or until middle is done. Yum!

BELLY-BUSTING BANANA BOATS I n g r e d ient s : Ba na nas, chocolate chips, marshmallows Instructions: Do not take peel off of the banana. Make two rectangular slits in top of the banana. Then cut one end and peel back, making a flap. Scoop out banana just below the flap and eat it. Put chocolate chips and marshmallows into the rectangular hole. Fold flap Picnic to 16

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back over the banana. Wrap in foil and set near warm coals for 5 minutes. Pull off of coals and let cool. Caution, Banana Boats will be hot! Unwrap aluminum foil and enjoy the chocolate, banana gooey goodness! Pie irons are a Camp Cook’s tool for fabulous stuffed sandwiches and desserts, especially pies.

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Ingredients: Refrigerated pizza dough Canned pizza sauce Shredded mozzarella cheese Toppings such as precooked sausage or bacon, pepperoni, veggies chopped into small pieces to cook faster Butter Instructions: Butter the inside of your pie iron generously. Unroll pizza dough from container, cut a piece of dough and spread out pizza crust, lay the dough inside one half of the pie iron, with an equal portion hanging over. You’ll fold the hanging portion back over the toppings before closing the pie iron. Spoon sauce onto pizza dough and spread evenly around dough. Spread sauce on the overhanging flap of dough, too. Add your toppings. Now fold the overhanging f lap of dough on top of the toppings. Pinch around the edge of the dough so a pocket is formed. Close the iron tightly and bake on each side for 5 minutes. Cook longer for a crispier crust. The pie iron will be hot and the pizza pocket will be hot, so please use caution before biting in.

Take two pieces of bread, buttering the outside, much like a grilled cheese sandwich. Place one piece of bread butteredside down on the iron. Spread your fillings on the bread without getting too close to the edges. Warning: Overfilling the pie iron will not allow your edges to seal and there will be a big mess. Place the second piece of bread on top of the filling, butter side up. Close the iron and cut any crusts off that stick out. Place the iron back into the coal bed and cook on both sides until medium brown. Roasting stick: Nothing says camp cooking more than roasting a marshmallow over the fire with old faithful, the roasting stick. Please do not cut any live tree to make your roasting stick.

EGGS ON A STICK Ingredients: Large orange, egg, salt and pepper Instructions: Cut a large orange in half and scrape out the fruit from both pieces. With a sharp knife, cut a small “X” on one orange half about 1/4 inch below the rim. Cut another “X” just below the opposite rim. Thread a roasting stick through the cuts so that the orange half hangs like a basket. While someone holds the half peel steady, crack a small egg into it. Grasp the end of the stick and hold the orange shell over low flames or embers of a campfire for about 10 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and remove the orange from the stick. Add salt and pepper and enjoy your egg. Recipe from the Egg Farmers of Alberta.

PUDGIE PIES Ingredients: Bread, butter, pie filling (try cherry, apple, or peach) or use any type of filling Instructions: Heat your pie iron over a coal bed until hot.

MUMMIFIED HOTDOGS I n g r e d i e nt s : Hot dog s, American cheese slices, refrigerated biscuit dough Instructions: Spear hotdog onto roasting stick length-wise

on stick. Roll biscuit dough into a long rope-like structure. Wrap cheese around hotdog and secure with biscuit rope, pinching together at top and bottom so it stays on the hot dog and secures the cheese. Cook over indirect heat until hotdog is done, cheese is melted, and biscuit is goldenbrown.

treat, put a caramel candy on the roasting stick above your marshmallow. When the marshmallow is golden brown and the caramel is soft, slide the marshmallow up and over the caramel. Slide them both off together for a fabulous marshmallow treat! — Picnic tips by Diane Hedin, interpretive naturalist

MALLOWY GOODNESS

GAMES TO PLAY ON YOUR PICNIC

Ingredients: Marshmallows, caramels **No flaming mallows! (Unless you like charred marshmallows) Instructions: When roasting your marshmallow, if your mallow catches fire, do not wave the marshmallow to put the flame out! No one wants to get hit with flying, flaming mallow! If it catches on fire, slowly move the mallow away from the fire and blow the flame out. If you want a really awesome

“Mom, I’m booored! Can I watch a movie? ” T his is not what you want to hear on a family picnic or camping trip. You know what else you don’t want? A bunch of work making elaborate plans and props for team-building exercises. So what are we to do with fickle kids and their short attention spans? Try out these ideas for fun and easy outdoor games

PHOTO BY LEON CONTRERAS ON UNSPLASH.COM

Picnic to 18

Roasting marshmallows is one of the tried-and-true recipes everyone loves when dining outdoors.

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BEAN BAG TOSS This is an easy one. Bring beans bags and draw a target on the ground with chalk. Line up the kids at a distance from the target and have them toss the bean bags to hit the target. Rather than a drawing a target, you can also use a pail or bowl to aim for.

BOBBING FOR DOUGHNUTS

PHOTO BY PICNIC TIPS BY MARIAH HEWINES ON UNSPLASH.COM

The sky’s the limit when it comes to a picnic. It can be as simple as cheese, crackers and fresh vegetables or as fancy as a three-course meal with a bottle of wine.

This combines two activities that are high priorities for kids: eating and playing. It’s also a blast to watch.  Laundry line (you’ve got to hang those wet beach towels anyway!)  String (never leave home without it!)  Donuts (the kind with holes.) After hanging your laundry line, estimate the distance from the rope to the height of your loved one’s mouth. Tie a string around each doughnut and hang them from the line at appropriate chomping heights. Line up the participants, one facing each treat. With hands behind their backs, give the signal and witness the hilarity.

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It goes without saying that you love picnics. Fresh air, tasty food and quality time with the family is a recipe for happy summer memories. But let’s say you have some down time, maybe while the brats are grilling. What to do? Play checkers, of course!  Checkered blanket or tablecloth  12 Stones (or whatever)  12 Pine Cones (or whatever) Send the kids on a scavenger hunt. You will need checkers and you can use almost any-

thing that will fit in the squares on your blanket. (Though we don’t recommend turtles; they get impatient.) To mark out the boundaries of the checkerboard on your blanket, you will need four sticks. Be sure to only take sticks that are dead and down, and tell the kids why we don’t damage living trees. The checkerboard area is 8 X 8 squares. Lay out a dozen of each game pieces on the blanket and play! When you are done, scatter the game pieces back in the woods. Praise those kids for leaving no trace!

GLOW IN THE DARK BOWLING  10 Plastic Drink Bottles  10 Glow Sticks  1 Bowling Ball (whatever ball you have) Collect your water or pop bottles as your family keeps hydrated. Peel off the labels and fill them with water. Crack glow sticks and drop them into the bottles, then screw on the caps. Set up 5 pins on each end of your bowling lane. It should be flat enough for the bottles to stand up, but extra lumps and bumps will add to the challenge! Grab whatever ba l l you brought camping and use it as a bowling ball. (You probably brought a soccer ball, right?) Play by the regular rules of bowling (3 rolls per turn) or make up your own! Did you bring necklace or bracelet glow sticks? Assign points to the bottles and play ring toss! Maybe each older player has to bowl with their eyes closed or backwards. Get creative! When you are all “funned” out, remember to empty and recycle the bottles. Talk to your kids about the importance of reducing waste. — Picnic tips by Megan Johnsen, interpretive naturalist.

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend June 10-12 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

u ri ng Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Friday, June 10, through Sunday, June 12, Minnesota residents age 16 or older can fish without a license if they take children age 15 or younger fishing with them. “Time spent fishing with kids tends to be full of smiles, fun and connection,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. M i n ne s ot a n s a ge 15 or younger don’t need fishing licenses any time of the year, though they must observe all fishing seasons and other regulations. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is a way for adults and kids to fish together without the step of buying a license. Minnesota residents also may generally fish in state parks without a fishing license if the body of water does not require a trout stamp.

PHOTO BY JG MILLER, HUTCHINSON

Take a Kid Fishing is an opportunity for adults and children to share the joys of fishing. J.G. Miller of Hutchinson took this photo at Piepenburg Park in rural Hutchinson.

PLACES TO TAKE A KID FISHING Shore fishing is a great way to enjoy a day at the lake. It’s easier, cheaper and there’s a lot more room and opportunities for great fishing spots. A good, safe spot to start fishing is on a nearby fishing pier. You can find fishing piers on lakes and in many parks throughout Minnesota. If you’re going to fish from shore, you’ll likely have to explore a bit to find the fish. Fish tend to stay in one spot so you have to move and cast along the shoreline to find them. Spring is the best season to catch fish due to the fish being hungry after the long winter, being more active due to warmer waters and laying

MINNESOTA DNR

If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate Mother’s Day, the Minnesota DNR can help. It’s Take a Mom Fishing Weekend — May 7-8. Mothers who are residents of Minnesota can fish without a license and can only fish for species that have open fishing seasons. their eggs near shore. As soon as the ice has melted off the lakes, sunfish and crappies are great species to seek. Summer shore fishing is a little more difficult due to thick near-shore vegetation and fish

moving to deeper, cooler waters. Try fishing in the early morning or evening as well as river fishing since rivers tend to have cooler waters and less vegetation. Fall is another great time to

fish due to cooling water temperatures, vegetation die offs and fish aggressively feeding to prepare for winter. For more fishing tips, visit dnr.state.mn.us/gofishing/gofish.html.

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 19

FILE PHOTO

For fun on one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and waterways, make sure to inspect and maintain your boat and trailer.

Basic yearly boat and trailer maintenance and inspection BY RANDY PATZNER

t was Benjamin Franklin who said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s as true today as it was in 1736, and It’s definitely true when it comes to boat and trailer maintenance. It’s no fun to plan a day on the water only to have your trailer or boat breakdown. While things can always happen, ongoing trailer and boat maintenance and inspection will help. The following is a list of items to check:  Check the coupler on the trailer. Make sure all parts move freely and are rust and crack free. Lube as directed in owners manual.  Inspect trailer jack and wheel. Lube pivot shaft and wheel if necessary.

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 Check all running lights.  With the boat off the trailer, inspect either bunks or rollers for excessive wearing, broken board, torn carpet, or loose or missing bolts.  Both bearing and brakes if applicable should be serviced by a certified mechanic yearly.  A good coat of wax once or more a year will help in both looks and longevity of your trailer.  Check the level of electrolytes in all batteries. Add only distilled water and fully charge after every use. Check battery posts for corrosion.  Inspect fuel systems for any odors, leaks, or deteriorations.  Do steering systems work smoothly both ways? Grease the steering cable if needed. Look

for any loose bolts and signs of deteriorations.  Inspect navigation lights for corrosion and make sure they work properly.  Inspect bilge and aerator pumps to make sure they are also working properly. Do live wells drain properly? Check intake screen for obstructions.  Check the horn.  Are drain plugs installed and tight?  Check trolling motor pull cord if applicable. Look for fraying or cuts. Replace if you see any visible wear. Is prop secure and void of cracks or deep nicks? Replace if necessary.  Is the fire extinguisher in good working shape and secured? Replace if there is any doubt!  Are life jackets and throw

cushions in good shape? Check each one for tears, and replace as needed.  Clean and wax all parts of the boat. It not only makes your rig look better but will help in its resale if done on a regular basis.  Check anchor rope for wear or aging. Replace as needed.  Do you have a basic tool kit onboard? Make sure all tools, fuses, and bulbs are accounted for and in good working order. — Randy Patzner is a certified Mercury mechanic who has worked since 1985 at Starks Sport Shop in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He also owns and operates his own B&B Trickling Waters Retreat in Marquette, Iowa.

Minnesota has a new game fish species: the burbot BY BRAD DOKKEN bdokken@gfherald.com Forum News Service

ll hail the once-lowly burbot, which now is considered a game fish species in Min-

nesota. About time, I say. Long considered the “ish of fish” — an understandable moniker, given its beady eyes, slithery appearance and a tendency to curl its tail around angler arms when held out of the water — the burbot has become cool in recent years. It hasn’t always been so. Growing up ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, I can remember friends and family grumbling in disdain when a heavy fish they hoped would be a walleye turned out to be a burbot instead. The beady eyes peering up from the bottom of the hole were a dead giveaway. Frozen burbot littering the ice were a common sight in those days, a practice that rarely happens anymore. Good thing, too; besides being inconsiderate, it’s illegal. Few fish have more nicknames than the burbot. I use “eelpout” interchangeably with burbot, but in North Dakota, they’re widely known as ling. Other nicknames include “lawyer” (I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on that one), “cusk,” “mud blower,” “mud pout,” “poor man’s lobster” and “mariah,” (the common nickname in Manitoba, though I have no idea why). I remember rolling my eyes some two decades ago, when

C. IVERSON/MINNESOTA DNR

The burbot looks like a cross between an eel and a catfish. It has a long body with smooth skin and a single whisker under its chin. a DNR biologist friend with a reputation for occasionally having wild ideas said he thought it was time for a push to make the burbot a game fish species. It wi l l never h app en, I thought to myself at the time. The change was gradual, but the burbot sometime in the past 10 to 15 years became a desirable species to catch. Social media had a lot to do with that, I believe, as numerous “influencers” hopped on the burbot bandwagon, posting videos on YouTube and other platforms and writing about the pure joy of pulling a burbot through a hole in the ice. What’s not to like, after all? They grow big — Minnesota’s state record, from Lake of the Woods in 2016, is a whopping 19 pounds, 10 ounces; and the North Dakota record, from the Knife River in 1984, weighed 18 pounds, 4 ounces — they peel line from the drag like mad and they taste great. All are very desirable traits in my world. Burbot also are an “indicator” species, requiring cold, high-quality water to survive and thrive. By last year, the burbot had

risen from rough fish status in Minnesota, as indicated on Page 12 of the 2021 Minnesota Fishing Regulations book, and when the new regulations come out sometime in the next few weeks, the burbot will be listed as a game fish. It will probably be next winter before the Department of Natural Resources implements a limit on them, said Phil Talmage, area fisheries supervisor for the DNR in Baudette, Minn. They’re also considered a game fish in North Dakota, which has a daily limit of 10 and a possession limit of 20. I’ve also targeted burbot and written about catching them on numerous occasions. Without exception, every encounter has been an absolute blast. Since burbot spawn under the ice, mid-February through early March is prime time for catching them. The time is now, in other words. One time, while ice fishing up at the Northwest Angle on Lake of the Woods, a friend and I set up in a spot where burbot are known to spawn under the ice. I’m not sure what makes the spot attractive — it’s about

14 feet deep and basically a sandy flat, as I understand it — but the burbot stage there every winter about this time. Hit it right, and the action can be absolutely gangbusters. We’d been having a hard time catching walleyes and saugers that day, and so we packed up and headed by snowmobile to the “pout hole.” We were set up and fishing by 5 p.m. We caught a few burbot almost right away, but the action really kicked into gear at dusk, which came early on that gray, cloudy day. The action was almost nonstop until we finally pulled the plug about 9 p.m. — exhausted, but giddy from the fishing we had just experienced. We released all but a couple of fish, boiling them up back at camp for a taste of “poor man’s lobster.” As always, the burbot were superb. Ugly? Yes, the argument could be made. Slimy? Most definitely. Tasty and fun to catch? Without question. All hail the burbot — Minnesota’s newest game fish species.

SPRING 2022 | DOCKSIDE 21

Fireworks on the Fourth BY KAY JOHNSON johnson@hutchinsonleader.com

elebrate the Fourth of July — America’s Independence Day — with special events including fan favorites — fireworks. Due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, 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). Music in the Park features the Fabulous Armadillos 7-10 p.m. followed by fireworks, which 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. Monday, July 4, 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. and a fireworks show at 10:30 p.m., both on Monday, July 4; delano4th.com.  Eagan Funfest Fourth of July events include a parade 10 a.m.-noon and fireworks 10-10:30 p.m. Events take place at the Eagan Community Center festival grounds, 1501 Central Parkway. For more information, visit eaganfunfest.org.  Excelsior Four th of July features fireworks at

22 DOCKSIDE | SPRING 2022

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End your Fourth of July celebration with fireworks. View them in towns and cities from Spicer to Minneapolis. dusk launching on Lake Minnetonka, just north of Excelsior Commons; 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. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is free; 507-385-6660.  M ay n a rd features a Fourth of July activities with a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk, both on Monday, July 4. For more information, call 320-367-2140.

 Minneapolis Red, White & Boom on Monday, July 4, features music, family events and fireworks at dusk along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront; minneapolisparks.org.  Prinsburg hosts an annual Fourth of July celebration with a run, ice cream social, silent auction, parade and more. Fireworks at dusk; tinyurl.com/ yckzbhs7.  Spicer’s Fourth of July festivities feature the Grand Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday, July 4. The parade route follows Lake Avenue. The fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. Monday, July 4, at Saulsbury Beach. The best place to watch the show is from a boat on Green Lake; willmarlakesarea.com.  S t . C l o u d ’s a n n u a l Fourth of July fireworks takes place at 10 p.m. Monday, July 4.

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 9:30 p.m. Monday, July 4. Fireworks are launched from Lake Waconia Regional Park; destinationwaconia.org.  The 66th annual Litchfield Watercade is hosting a fireworks show at dusk on Friday, July 8, over Lake Ripley; watercade.com. For more Minnesota fireworks shows, visit Explore Minnesota at exploreminnesota.com.

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