Life jackets a safety necessity when boating on cold water

With waterways across the state clearing of ice, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds anxious boaters that wearing a life jacket is a critical safety necessity during the spring “cold water” season.

While boaters should always wear a life jacket no matter the water temperature or season, public safety officials stress wearing a life jacket — not just having it on the boat — is the one action that significantly increases the chances of surviving a fall into cold water.

“The shock of falling into cold water triggers your gasp reflex, which more than likely means inhaling water,” said Lisa Dugan, DNR boating safety representative. “Wearing a life jacket gives you a fighting chance to get your head above water, stay calm instead of panicking, and call for help before hypothermia sets in.”

Though air temperatures continue to rise, water temperatures statewide are still dangerously cold — cold enough to cause the gasp reflex and incapacitate even strong swimmers in less than one minute.

In Minnesota, more than 30 percent of boating fatalities occur on cold water, and accident records show the victims are disproportionately male.

“Over the past decade, we’ve seen a steady and troubling trend that indicates men between the ages of 20 and 60 are the most likely to drown while boating, and are the least likely to be wearing a life jacket,” Dugan said.

“Cold-water drowning victims in Minnesota are also much more likely to be anglers than any other type of recreational boater. Add this up, and it’s clear that if male anglers were to put their safety first and put on their life jackets, a significant percentage of boating deaths could easily be prevented.”

Pelicans begin yearly migration north

The America white pelican is making a comeback in Minnesota, not only for the season, but also in terms of its population. While pelicans winter in the Gulf of Mexico region, more than 20 percent of the continent’s white pelican population takes up summer residence in Minnesota. Marsh Lake, located in Big Stone, Lac qui Parle and Swift counties, hosts the largest portion of the population.

White pelicans are prominent in Minnesota’s history, as well. Minnesota has 10 lakes that include “pelican” as part of their name, a city (Pelican Rapids), and the Pelican River in Otter Tail County. Even one of southern Minnesota’s premiere fishing lakes, Lake Shetek in Murray County, is named for the Ojibwe name for the pelican, presumably for the birds that visit each year.

Despite that heritage, the American white pelican all but disappeared from Minnesota for seven decades because of human activity. Thought to be extirpated from the state, with no reports of nesting in Minnesota after 1878, pelican colonies were found on Marsh Lake, on the Minnesota River near Appleton, in 1968.

Since then, the pelican’s remarkable comeback has continued thanks to conservation efforts, and federal regulations in Minnesota. In Minnesota, the DNR’s Nongame Wildlife Program provided technical guidance and habitat restoration and protection.

In early spring, pelicans migrate north to their summer homes, which include the shallow lakes of southern Minnesota. Many are simply passing through or they may be nonbreeders that are feeding or loafing.

By April or May, though, some will settle in to nest in large dense groups. Pelicans nest on the ground, mainly on isolated islands. Minnesota is home to 15 known nesting colonies, but the number and locations can change over time.

Regional nongame specialist Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer asks the public to report new nesting colonies in southern Minnesota via email to lisa.gelvin-innvaer@state.mn.us.

“Pelicans are a very distinct looking bird, and that’s why many people enjoy them — not just bird-watchers,” Gelvin-Innvaer said. “However, pelicans are especially sensitive to humans and are easily scared off of their nests, causing them to abandon their nest and eggs.”

A good rule of thumb, she said, is to view from a distance. If pelicans react to a person’s presence, they’re too close.

For more information on American white pelicans, visit mndnr.gov/pelican.

Pelicans are just one of the many wildlife species that benefit from donations made to the Nongame Wildlife Checkoff on Minnesota tax forms or online at mndnr/checkoff.

Nongame Checkoff dollars fund research, surveys, habitat restoration and education for more than 700 nongame wildlife species. Each dollar donated also is matched by funds from the Reinvest In Minnesota Account.

Cook County fishing closures will protect spawning fish

Anglers in Cook County will notice fishing closure signs at several area lakes this spring. These temporary closures are regularly enacted to protect concentrations of spawning walleye. Closures on Minnesota-Ontario waters are made in cooperation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and affect both sides of the border.

The following closures took effect April 1:

Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows; closed through May 24.

Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota-Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake; closed through May 31.

Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake; closed through May 31 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Unnamed channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota-Ontario border; closed through May 31.

Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake; closed through May 24

The following areas will be closed to fishing from May 11 through May 24:

Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake.

Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.

Closures apply to fishing only; travel is permitted through these areas. All closed areas will be posted. The closures are intended to protect concentrations of spawning walleye that may be vulnerable to over-harvest.

Late ice-out is expected for Cook County lakes in 2019. Anglers and other visitors are urged to call ahead to check on ice conditions, or be prepared to look at alternative lakes for open water. Shallow or dark-water (bog-stained) lakes are more likely to be open sooner than the county’s deeper, clear-water lakes.

Questions can be directed to the DNR fisheries office in Grand Marais at 218-387-6021, or to Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, at steve.persons@state.mn.us.