SRCLA Petition Urging Gov Walz to continue to fully fund AIS Grants

During the Richmond Fire Department’s Catfish Festival, we collected almost 100 signatures urging Governor Walz to continue to fully fund invasive weed control in our Minnesota lakes!  

Our Association (SRCLA) primarily uses funds from charitable gambling and memberships to fund weed control, but we also rely on some government funding. For 2025, government funding from county Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid (AISPA) totaled about $28,000.

Governor Walz announced a planned cut of 50% of government funding to treat invasive weeds.  The proposed reduction in funding would greatly hinder our ability to treat our lakes.  In addition to this petition, we’ve also sent a letter directly to Governor Walz to express our disappointment and concern about this initiative.  Thank you for making your voice heard through this petition!

See the one page summary below to learn more about how Minnesota’s county AISPA has been a game-changer in invasive species prevention and what you can do to let our state leaders know how important this is to continue funding these programs.  For even more information, go to this post on MN Lakes & Rivers.

If you were unable to sign the petition, MN Lakes and Rivers has this Legislative Action Center available for making your voice heard: https://www.congressweb.com/MLRA/77/

2025 Fishing Licenses Required 3/1

Today is the last day fishing licenses issued in 2024 are valid. To ice fish on Saturday, 3/1/25, you must have a 2025 fishing license. To learn more and to purchase a license, go to the DNR Fishing licenses website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/fishing/index.html

Catfish Fest Drawing

We can't say enough good things about the Richmond Fire Dept.'s Catfish Fest. They put on an incredible event! We're definitely excited to be a part of it in 2026!

We'd also like to congratulate @Dean Foley, our 50 QT cooler winner! Thanks to everyone who stopped by our table and a special thank you to those who signed up as new members for 2025!

2025 Youth Watercraft Operator Permit & Water Safety Class

Sponsored by Stearns County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA)

Stearns COLA is pleased to announce the scheduling of youth Watercraft Safety Classes for 2025.  The COLA helps supervise the classes and provides refreshments including pizza for all participants.  There are only 20 slots for each class. 

Event: Sauk River Chain of Lakes Youth Watercraft Operator Permit & Water Safety Class
Date: Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
Time: Time: 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Shady's Long Shots - 17467 Fairway Circle, Cold Spring, Minnesota 56320

For details and requirements of this program and to register for this event click HERE. If you sign up and decide you cannot attend please cancel your reservation so others can attend. 

For more information: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/index.html

Sustaining Our Lakes, One Property at a Time: A Call for Collective Action

The water may be frozen, but there is action happening beneath the surface of icy lakes and rivers. Under the thick layers of ice, aquatic ecosystems are preparing for the spring melt. You can too - read Lake Steward Coordinator, Lily Carr's blog post "Sustaining Our Lakes, One Property at a Time: A Call for Collective Action" to learn more about the simple actions to take and plans you can make to give back to Minnesota's unique waterways.

As Lake Stewards look forward to warmer days by the shore, now is the time to plan how you'll do your part to keep our waters clean. It all starts at the shore. Lawns to Legumes Grants for Fall 2025 have just opened. Apply to reimbursement-based funding of up to $400 for your shoreline restoration - deadline to apply is May 15, 2025 Click here to apply.

To learn more about becoming a Lake Steward on the Chain and funding a significant portion of your shoreline restoration, visit the SRCLA Lake Steward page and/or contact our Land Use program chair, Richard Gallea, at rjgallea@gmail.com.

2024 Water Quality Report Available

The 2024 Water Quality report is now available: click here or go to the Projects page. It is the product of the Sauk River Watershed District (SRWD) in partnership with the Sauk River Chain of Lakes Association (SRCLA). The SRWD produces this more detailed report every five years. Unsurprisingly, the Sauk River Chain of Lakes still carries an excessive nutrient load, particularly phosphorus, and the SRCLA will continue to advocate for programs to reduce the nutrient load. For ways you can help, please contact our Land Use program chair, Richard Gallea, at rjgallea@gmail.com.

Save County AIS Prevention Aid Funding

An important message from MLR’s Executive Director, Jeff Forester:

As you probably know, Gov. Walz, in his 2025 Budget Recommendations released in January, proposes cutting the County AIS Prevention Aid Formula.

We have put out a few Action Alerts, and I know there is a lot of interest in this and also a number of questions about what individuals can do to protect this funding in the face of significant budget constraints.

We will be hosting a Legislative Update to provide more information on the process, the next steps, and some practical advice on how you and your organization can move the needle on this issue. We will also be able to answer your questions.

Monday, February 10th, 4:00 – 5:00pm

Time zone: America/Chicago

Video Link: https://meet.google.com/zie-wdvq-kha

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 219-390-9911‬ PIN: ‪563 532 205‬#

NOTE: this is a virtual only event hosted by MN Lakes and Rivers. The SRCLA receives about $30k through this program.

Plan Ahead: Shoreline Weed Treatment Permits

Hey SRCLA members! Are you ready to keep your shoreline accessible this season? Now’s the time to apply for your 2025 shoreline weed treatment permits—don’t wait until spring!
Getting your permit early ensures you’ll be ready to tackle aquatic weeds and maintain access when the season starts. Early applications help avoid delays and ensure a smooth treatment process.
💻 Learn more: https://www.srcl.org/chainlinksp24/battling?rq=weeds
Let’s work together to protect and preserve the Sauk River Chain of Lakes!

Catfish Fest on the Chain Feb 14-15

Join us for the Catfish Fest on the Chain, an exciting ice fishing tournament hosted by the Richmond Firefighter Relief Association on the Sauk River Chain of Lakes!
Date: Friday, February 14th – Saturday, February 15th
Location: Sauk River Chain of Lakes, Cedar Island Lake
Tickets: Available for purchase online or at any of the sponsored locations.
Embrace the winter season with fellow fishing enthusiasts, enjoy great music, and experience the thrill of the catch.
Don't miss out on this fantastic community event!
#CatfishFest #IceFishing #SaukRiverChainOfLakes #CommunityEvent
https://catfishfestonthechain.com/