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LAKE SARAH NEWS
updated March 27, 2023
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Grant-in-aid snowmobile trails close March 31
The statutory end of the snowmobile riding season on grant-in-aid trails is midnight, March 31, when permits with private landowners expire. Snowmobile trails will remain open on public land while weather and snow conditions permit. Riders should be aware that trail grooming operations will cease when conditions are too warm to effectively groom.
“We have had great snowmobiling this year. We are so appreciative of the many snowmobile club volunteers who made it possible by grooming Minnesota’s extensive system of grant-in-aid trails,” said Ann Pierce, director of the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “They worked long and hard this winter to keep trails in good riding condition for so many Minnesotans.”
Late season snowmobilers should keep safety in mind and be aware of changing conditions. As snow recedes, rocks and other obstructions can become a hazard to trail users.
“As the temperatures rise, riding conditions will deteriorate,” said Wade Miller, DNR trail and snowmobile program consultant. “We advise checking trail conditions before leaving home.”
The statewide snow depth map and state trail conditions are updated by 2 p.m. every Thursday on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/snow).
Even if snow conditions are good, the DNR reminds snowmobilers not to ride on grant-in-aid trails that cross private land after March 31. Starting on April 1, riding these trails without the landowner’s permission is trespassing.
For more information, visit the DNR’s snowmobiling page (mndnr.gov/snowmobiling) or contact the DNR Information Center by emailing info.dnr@state.mn.us or by calling 888-646-6367 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
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| 2023 Ice Cleanup Volunteers |
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Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual
Ice Cleanup Day!
About 2 dozen volunteers (and a few that just went out from their homes without gathering at the landing) met at the public access / landing at 10:00 am, Saturday March 25. The twice postponed event did not yield significant areas of trash but the group did tackle the abandoned shelter on the west bay. Chisels, chainsaw and a lot of elbow grease went into removing most of the junk this person had left in his submerged, frozen ice shelter, (see photos)
Our area's MN DNR Conservation Officer Ben Ulrich is aware of the identity of the owner and has been in communication with him. The shelter owner should be fined for abandoning his fishhouse and all that garbage & junk - we will follow up on that to make certain he is.
Thank you to everyone who helped, sacrificed equipment, and hauled away trash!
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| SPRING ROAD RESTRICTIONS ARE ON!
Independence weight restrictions:
Gravel roads 4 tons / axle as of 3/8/23
Asphalt roads 5 tons/ axle as of 3/13/23
Greenfield roads are also currently are posted.
The warmer conditions and thin frost level have brought the return of city road restrictions until removed by City staff - be advised tickets for violations will be issued.
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| 3000 New Lake Neighbors!
On October 27, 2022 - 3000 Radermacher Farms Walleye Fingerlings were released in Sarah's East Bay by Steve Harrington / LSIA. Some of the fingerlings were much larger than typical 3" fish (see photo).
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This years stocking program is the continuation of the mutiyear (very successful) effort to restore walleye to Sarah. The first privately funded stocking of walleye fry in Lake Sarah occurred on Saturday May 20, 2006 with an introduction of an estimated 90,000 walleye fry. Since that time, through donations to the program, more than 290,000 walleye fry and 18,600 walleye fingerlings have been introduced to lake Sarah. Thank you to all those supporting this restoration! (If you'd like to help see the donation button below)
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| Help support continued walleye stocking in lake Sarah! Click the Paypal button on left to donate to the stocking program with any major credit card or bank balance transfer. Your tax deductible donations are greatly appreciated!
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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.
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