Your SLPOA board is working hard to build awareness of the threats that invasive species. We need your help and are willing to bribe you with some really useful and cool stuff. Become a new Weed-Cop and get a Kozzie, the official Sand Lake hat, the

very impressive map of the lake and of course the warm glow from knowing that you are helping keep Sand Lake safe from invasives. Between opener

and July 4th, we’re trying to do inspections every weekend. Won’t you please help. Oh ya... Vic wanted you all to know

that there are still a bunch of RULERS so we’ll be giving them out again too.

To volunteer please call or email Victor Warnement: 218-659-4788 Email: maxievic@paulbunyan.net

SAND LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, P.O. BOX 690, DEER RIVER, MN 56636-0690 • WWW.MINNESOTAWATERS.ORG/SANDLAKE • SPRING 2013

Welcome back!! The beauty of the lake in the surrounding area in winter is spectacular. However, I have had enough spectacular…give me waves on the lake lap-ping against the shoreline! Hopefully, summer will arrive soon!

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––As highlighted in the recent mailer, the

discovery of zebra mussels in Winnie has increased our aquatic invasive species (AIS) awareness, especially with watercraft move-

ment from infested lakes. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The approval of the DNR watercraft inspection grant for a total of 190 hours will help prevent the spread of AIS. The DNR Intern will be at Sand Lake public access along with the support of volunteers who have already signed up, and those that will. THANK YOU! The intern will work independently. Volunteers will be scheduled to fill in when the intern is not available. Chris Kavanaugh’s article gives more detail on AIS prevention. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Last fall the Sandpaper membership form included the question…Are you in favor of a walleye slot limit for Sand, Little Sand and Portage Lakes? Of the 95 people responding 83% said yes they are in favor of a

walleye slot limit.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The DNR is working on a proposal for a walleye slot limit. Before any action is taken, there will be an opportunity for everyone to express their opinion during public meetings conducted by the DNR throughout the summer and fall. The proposal would also include Jessie and Bowstring Lakes. Chris Kavanaugh and/or Dave Weitzel will be attending our Fishing Seminar in June to discuss the walleye slot limit and other related questions. Another topic of interest/concern to be discussed will be AIS.

A warm WELCOME to new members of the SLPOA! This is one more example of property owners becoming active in the health and well being of the lake.An application through the IBM Corporation is again being submitted this year. Grant applications will also be submitted through the MN DNR for the support in the control of AIS.

Again, thank you to the volunteers who have signed up to as-sist with AIS boat inspection “Weed Cop”, and the Adopt-A-Highway “Ditch Cop”, pick-ing up trash on county road 35 and 4. Are you interested in becoming a SLPOA Board Member? Please contact any member of the SLPOA Board for more information.

Please contact any member of the SLPOA Board with questions or comments on any of the issues men-tioned here in the Sand Paper.

On behalf of the SLPOA board have a safe and fun filled summer.

From bottom left: Dave Smith, Dan Dehn.Top left: Vic Warnement, Pam Troje, Pat Sievertson, Phil Thompson.

Phil Thompson

Save the date...The annual meeting will be another good one. Don’t miss it!

FREE... Koozies, Hats, Lake Maps to all new

Weed-Cop volunteers.

Sand Lake Fishery Update 5/2013

At our recent meeting with the SLPOA Board, we were asked to put together some additional information on what can be done to stop the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species. The SLPOA has an outstanding track record of showing deep concern for the quality of the waters in and around Sand Lake. You have not only “talked the talk” but “walked the walk”, donating hundreds of hours getting trained and performing inspections at the boat landing. Awareness is the best defense against the spread of unwanted visitors. As boaters become more aware of the threats and begin to take actions, the odds are in our favor to keep the invasive species out. There are some myths out there that need to be dispelled right off the bat. We have heard from people saying things like “who’s checking the ducks?” If ducks and other waterbirds were the means by which these species spread, why do invasive species tend to show up at lakes that a lot of people visit and rarely anywhere else? Another comment is what about float planes, who checks them? How many float planes use Sand Lake in a typical year? Also, we have provided information to float plane pilots about where infested waters are so they can avoid those waters. In addition, they are encour-aged to use some relatively simple techniques to help prevent the inadvertent spread. In Minnesota, we have an official list of “Designated Infested Waters”, the list is updated several times a year when a new water is confirmed to have a prohibited inva- sive species present. Additional details are spelled out in Minnesota Rules Chapter 6216. The list is also pub- lished in the Fishing Regulations book, look at pages 20-33 in the 2013 book. Once a lake is designated there are additional restrictions on the harvest of bait and use of the water. This list includes waters that are confirmed to have invasive species, however, often it may be several years between the time a lake is infested and actual confirma- tion is made. Our advice to all boaters on all lakes and rivers is to use good boat hygiene. In other words, treat every water body as if it is infested and get in a routine of cleaning the boat, trailer and anything that came in contact with the lake water before you launch in another lake or river. There are laws that regulate and prohibit certain activities, designed to help prevent the spread of these invasive species. These laws apply to all waters, whether designated or not. You may not transport lake water; meaning you must drain all live wells, bilges, portable bait containers, etc., before leaving the access and travelling on any public road and the boat plug must be removed while the boat is in transit over land. It is illegal to transport prohibited invasive species on a public road. Some important things to check are any areas of the boat that may trap water. Most boats on a trailer will have a slope from front to back so water can drain, however, there are some boats that sit on the trailer with the bow either level or slightly below the stern. Park the boat and trailer on an incline so that all compartments can drain completely. Carry a cooler of well or tap water in the truck so that when you get back to the landing you can drain your portable bait container and place the minnows in the well water for later use. Don’t forget about the leeches as well. When you pull up the anchor take a little time to clear all vegetation and mud before placing the anchor in the boat. That mud and vegetation is a likely place where Faucet snails may be present. Once the boat is on the trailer and out of the water, hit the starter to blow out any remaining water in the cooling system. If you leave your boat in the water for more than a few days at a time, moor it with the motor elevated out of the water, consider an anti-fouling paint for the hull, and when you do remove the boat, do a thorough cleaning with hot water and a pressure washer. Do these things every time you launch and load your boat. Finally, be aware of the designated waters, continue to enjoy the fisheries those lakes provide, but if you are going to fish multiple lakes in a day, make those designated waters the last lake of the day.

There is a lot of information on the DNR website and other sources. Learn as much as you can and take all reasonable steps to prevent the spread of these species to other waters. Please feel free to contact the DNR if you have any additional questions. Rich Rezanka, Inva-sive Species Control Specialist, 218-999-7805 or Richard.rezanka@state.mn.us. Chris Kavanaugh, Area Fisheries Supervisor, 218-999-7821 or chris.kavanaugh@state.mn.us

Thanks... Chris Kavanaugh

Don’t Just Rely On The BULLS-EYE

This area is listed among the top in the country for deer-tick related incidents so be on the alert for these pests and the danger of tick-borne diseases. The deer tick carries the agents of several diseases; including Lyme disease, human anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan disease and a new form of human ehrlichiosis.

The cases of these diseases have been increas-ing in recent years and now the non-Lyme diseases make up 27% of the total so you can’t always rely on the red bulls-eye that is charac-teristic of Lymes.

Itasca County has an alert system that will automatically contact you in the event of an emergency.

Go to... www.co.itasca.mn.us Go to... Departments Click on... Sheriff Click on... CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment Page

Sand Lake Property Owners AssociationBoard of Directors, Officers & Volunteers 2012/13We value your input, so please contact us.

President: Phil Thompson Phone: 218-659-2136 Email: philbeththompson@msn.com

Vice President: Pam Trojie Phone: 218-659-2709, Cell: 651-261-1827 Email: bpcan@comcast.net

Treasurer: Victor Warnement Phone:218-659-4788 Email: maxievic@paulbunyan.net

Secretary: Pat Sievertson Phone: 218-659-2157 Email: garden_queen2004@yahoo.com Directors: Dan Dehn Phone: 218-659-4796 Email: lucky_dehn@yahoo.com Dave Smith Phone: 218-659-2695 Email: pamdave.smith@hotmail.comVolunteers John Perkins: Sand Paper Editor: Phone: 218-659-4754 or 828-698-5897

Nancy Votava: Web Manager: Email: nvotava@yahoo.com

WE GOT THE GRANT. NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE OUR INSPECTION EFFORTS SUCCEED!

1. Zebra mussels are in Winnie (and of course other lakes).2. We know there are a lot of boats that come to SAND LAKE from Winnie. 3. We’ve got 190 hours of inspector hours through the grant4. We need inspector-volunteers to augment the paid inspectors.

Here’s the math:

450 HOURS of inspections needed (Opener to mid Sept.)190 HOURS - Provided by the grant

260 HOURS - Needed from Sand Lake Volunteers

65 Number who need to volunteer ONE 4-Hour shift... this would then cover the entire summer.

30 Number of volunteers we had in 2012

PLEASE VOLUNTEER & HELP KEEP ZEBRA MUSSELS OUT OF OUR LAKE!

NEW SHORTER VOLUNTEER SHIFTS:Friday PM shift... 4-8pmSaturday & Sunday • Morning shift from 6-10AM • Afternoon shift from 2-6PM

To volunteer please call or email Victor Warnement: 218-659-4788 Email: maxievic@paulbunyan.net

KEEP 9 is workingDave Smith reports that the Northern Pike he was catching through the ice this winter were bigger than ever. So, we all need to keep up the efforts to keep those small ones. Thanks.

Remember the Northern Pike Slot Limit. These experimental/special regulations apply to Sand Lake and connecting waters, Bowstring,

Little Sand etc..

Limit: 1 over 36”

ALL 22-36” MUST BE RELEASED

< Limit: 9 under 22”

KEEP 9N O R T H E R N P I K E S L O T L I M I T

The latest ICE-OUT on

record! It’s official according to Willy

Fredrick... this year set the re-coerd .

And according to Pam Smith, an incredible 120 inches of snow fell in the woods here at Sand

Lake.

TEAR OFF ON DOTTED LINE.

Voting members must be property owners on Sand Lake, Portage Lake, or Little Sand Lake in Itasca County Sand Lake Property Owners Association is a tax exempt, non profit association whose purpose is to represent the members’ common interest in the Sand Lake area and its environment. Our association is managed 100% by Lake Owner volunteers. There are no salaries. We operate completely on Dues and Donations. Your cancelled check is your receipt.

MAIL TO: Sand Lake Owners Property Association PO Box 690, Deer River MN 56636 Your check is your receipt • Signed receipt sent on request.

Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________________________

MAILING Address____________________________________________________________________________________

E-Mail:______________________ Optional: Phone#_________________________ Phone#____________________

2013 DUES... $15.00_____________ DONATIONS $_____________ STOCKING DONATION$________________

Remember this is your 2013 membership. Not 2012 or 2014

HELP!When you send us this form, please volunteer for activities that maintain the health and beauty of

our wonderful Sand Lake area.

Yes. Contact me... I’d like to help with:

r Weed Cops, Invasive species monitoring at the public landings

r Adopt a Highway... Trash pickup on Rt. 35 twice a year.

r SLPOA Board Membership... We always need participa-tion in the operation of our board. It’s fun and rewarding. Contact me about being nominated

APPLICATION FOR 2013 CALENDAR YEAR • RETURN THIS PORTION WITH YOUR PAYMENT

2 0 1 3 M E M B E R S H I P

2013 Fishing Seminar & for the first time a...

Northern Pike Fish Fry!...June 20,5pm at the Community Center.

Everyone... PLEASE bring a few Northern fillets in addition to your usual pot-luck. We’ll have batter and a fish-frier and will cook your pike to perfetion. Can’t bring any Northern??? Don’t worry, a bunch of really good Sand Lake Northern Fishermen will be bringing their limits of fish for you.

We’re doing this is to promote our “KEEP-9” Northern Pike limit...

• Our DNR guys will be back to talk Lake plans, activities, slots & more.• Russ Wedl..... President of the Split Hand Lake Asso. • Chuck Baker... Sand Lake Fishing expert will share his secrets. • Door prizes, free food, fun... fun... fun!

What do you FIND on a VERY SMALL

Sand Lake Beach?

MICRO-waves!

WHEN’S THE FISH 2013 SEMINAR?

www.nextdoor.com

Check it out. Some SLPOA members have joined this little website. It really is a fantastic way to build community. It allows us to share information and even photos of your big catch of the day. The more neighbors we have involved the better it will serve us all.

I started it and am a member.

John Perkins... jfpc2@paulbunyan.net

• Byron Ames• Barnes-Plane Crash Survival• Erick & Viola Carlson• Dean & Joan Christian• Jim & Julene Delesha• Felts Family• Rick & Ruth Hauk• Matt Korpela- Horseshoe Champ• Ken & Annette Libersky• Pastor Muntean & the Sand Lake Alliance Church• John Perkins• Sister Ethel Radhke• Bernice Randa - Some Things My Sister Taught Me• Marion & Lynda Roberts• Frank & Edith Sollars• Don & Martie Wilson

www.link2ourpast.comHere’s another interesting site. Elinor Wright and Bernie Troje have spent several years interviewing interesting Sand Lake area people. The stories and photos are all at this interesting website.

Save some for the grandkids.

Catch & Release!