|
LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated April 14, 2026
|
The most recent water level reading was 979.28' on April 14, 2026
This can be compared to the final reading last fall on November 23, 2025 of 978.71' and the Ordinary High Water Level for Sarah of 979.90'. The Spencer family will continue as the appointed volunteer monitoring our lakes’ water levels for the MN DNR, the LSIA and the lakesarah.com community website. For more detailed Water Level information please view the Water Levels page on this website.
Highest Level this year 979.28' on April 14, 2026
Highest Level ever recorded 982.40' on June 28, 2002
Lowest level this year 979.26' on April 11, 2026
Lowest level ever recorded 977.53' on October 30, 2022
|
Boaters: Renew your watercraft registration
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages boat owners to renew expired watercraft registrations before this year’s boating season.
The DNR urges boat owners to renew online (mndnr.gov/buyalicense) or in person rather than by mail. People can renew in person at a local deputy registrar’s office (dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/locations/Pages/find-office-locations.aspx#search=registrar) or at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, in St. Paul.
Boat registrations are good for three calendar years. The DNR has details about how to renew watercraft, what information owners need to supply about their watercraft, and registration fees on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/licenses/watercraft).
|
It's Official - ICE OUT 2026!
The Ice out monitors have agreed the ice was officially off lake Sarah on Tuesday March 31, 2026 roughly 1 week earlier than the average. "Ice Out" is defined as the first day the lake is completely free of ice. Current ice out reporters are Scott Walsh, Joe Baker, Mike Bistodeau, Brad Spencer and Scott Beaupre. Thank you!
Average Ice Out Date since 1978 April 6
Earliest Ice Out Date recorded March 6, 2024
Latest Ice Out Date Recorded May 2, 2018
|
Postcards - a window to our past!
Found another old postcard - this one from the Shady Beach Inn. Postmarked July 31, 1928. Very nearly 100 years ago. It shows the northwest facing view of what is now Cody Johnson's property on the point on the south shore west end of the mid-lake channel as viewed from what is now Joe Slavec's home.
The back is a note to Albert Steinke and Family in Pipestone from someone named Jay. It reads:
Dear Albert & family, Arrived safe Sunday noon. Went to the Dr. today had thumb dressed no sign of infection. Advised to come back Wed. Said I had a bad thumb not being able to fish watch the rest fishing.Folks here had 75 for dinner Sunday and busy all week. Mosty all cottages are full hope all is well at home. Greetings to all Jay & family.
|
Spring burning restrictions begin in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris effective tomorrow, Monday, March 30, due to increased wildfire risk resulting from warm temperatures and dry conditions in parts of central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. The restrictions apply in the following counties:
Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami South, Benton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, and Wright.
| |
The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted.
“Wildfire risk increases each year after the snow melts and before vegetation greens up,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention specialist. “Spring burning restrictions help reduce the number of wildfires, especially those caused by debris burning.”
Harrison encourages people to use other methods to handle yard waste, such as composting, chipping or taking brush to a collection site. For more information, visit the composting for woodland owners page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention/debris-composting.html).
People cause more than 90% of wildfires in Minnesota. If a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage caused, as well as for the costs of wildfire suppression.
Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change. For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide wildfire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions).
|
| ROAD RESTRICTIONS ARE BACK!
Typical spring weight restrictions have been posted.
Fines for violations can be expensive!
Check with your City and County for applicable per axle maximums.
|
Hunters and anglers, it's time to renew!
Annual hunting and fishing licenses expire on Feb. 28, 2026. Starting March 1, you'll need a new license!
Many sportsmen and women buy separate annual fishing licenses and annual small game licenses, but did you know there's an all-in-one option? Check out the sports license, which includes both licenses at a slight discount (residents-only).
|
Anglers can now fish for bass before the traditional May fishing opener
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ fishing regulations for 2026 include a new catch-and-release season that makes fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass open all year on inland waters. These changes for bass fishing and a variety of other new regulations are listed on pages 13-14 of the regulations book.
“We’re improving bass fishing opportunities after hearing strong support from anglers for earlier bass fishing,” said Eric Altena, Little Falls area fisheries supervisor. “Bass populations are thriving and have increased abundance and sizes, and compared with past decades, have broader geographic distribution in our state.”
Since bass spawning peaks in late May, which is later in the year than some other species, there is no biological evidence that catch-and-release bass fishing poses a conservation issue for the fish.
|
U Study Explores Boat Impacts on Lake Beds and Water Quality - Phase Two of Saint Anthony Falls Study Released
|
 |
| How powerboats impact lakes below the surface July 29, 2025 - click image for link to U of MN news article |
|
|
The Saint Anthony Falls Lab (SAFL) released a long anticipated study of the impacts of different recreational boats on lake beds and water column: Recreational boat hydrodynamics and their impacts on the lakebed and water column.
As wake surfing has become increasingly popular over the last ten years, more and more lake associations, water resource professionals, resort and marina owners, lake service providers and individuals have reached out to Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates (MLR) with concerns about safety, declining lake water quality, user conflicts, eroding shoreline and damaged shoreline infrastructure.
In response to the rising controversy, MLR pursued a three step strategy:
- Rely on the best available science to define the issues and create Best Practices for boaters,
- Lobby the State Legislature to pass legislation requiring a new boater's education and certification program,
- Include Best Practices for safety, wake and prop thrust management, and etiquette in the MN DNR boater education course and promote these Best Practices widely.
Starting in 2020 MLR worked with the Saint Anthony Falls Lab at the University of Minnesota to fund the Healthy Waters Initiative, a three phase study into the impacts of recreational boating on lakes. Funding for the research came from two sources. Over 200 contributions came from across the nation through the University of Minnesota Foundation in support of Phase One. Additional funding came from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) as recommended by the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
Donors, both individuals and organizations that contributed to the study had no input into the design or scope of this research and did not review or have input into the report prior to publication.
The project has three phases of inquiry:
SAFL recommendations based on this research are:
- When operating in planing mode powerboats should stay in depths of 10 ft or greater to prevent impacts to the lake bed.
- When operating is sustained displacement mode (ie. slow cruising), recreational powerboats should stay in depths of 10 ft or greater to prevent impacts to the lake bed.
- For most recreational boat users, traveling in waters less than 10 ft deep is unavoidable (e.g. going through channels, getting to and from boat lifts, docks, and launches, etc.). In these scenarios it is recommended to go as slowly as possible to minimize the magnitude of the bow and stern pressure waves.
- Wakeboats should operate in 20 ft of water or greater when in semi-displacement (surfing) mode to minimize impacts on the lakebed.
- All boats have the potential to damage aquatic vegetation. The depth recommendations provided above are specified relative to the lakebed but could also be interpreted as relative to the top of submerged vegetation. Since vegetation grows through the open-water season, this is a more difficult recommendation to specify. In general, boats should avoid areas of the lake with aquatic vegetation to minimize damage.
|
|
Many of the questions emailed to this site regard illegal or inconsiderate snowmobile, atv, boat or pwc operation or fishing/hunting violation questions. To report illegal vehicular activity you should contact Hennepin County Sheriff Water Patrol (612)596-9880, or West Hennepin Public Safety (763)479-0500, The Water Patrol will not issue a citation for offenses they do not witness. They may issue a citation if the witness agrees sign the complaint (much like a citizens arrest). If you plan on filing charges against an individual you should make note of the date, time, vehicle description and license number, identity or good description of the operator. A side note; If the offender wishes to appear in court you may be required to appear as witness / accuser. To report hunting or fishing violations call DNR West Metro Conservation Officer: Ben Ulrich Phone: (651)242-2166, DNR Enforcement (651)582-1502, or orTIP (turn in poachers) toll free hotline 800-652-9093. Click the blue text for a copy of the Minnesota Snowmobile Regs , Personal Watercraft Regs , MN Boating Guide , ATV/OHV Regs, or the current MN Fishing Regulations , in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (.pdf).
Lake Sarah (MN DNR #27-0191) is located in sections 1 and 2, township 118, range 24; and in sections 34 and 35, township 119, range 24, Hennepin County, Minnesota. GPS 45°4'19"N 93°41'24"W surrounded by the Minnesota cities of Independence, Greenfield, Loretto, Medina, and Rockford. Click here to view a Google hybrid map of lake Sarah. Suggestions for content and services to be provided by this site are always welcome! E-mail this website with your feedback, suggestions, comments or ideas.
|
|
