Aquatic weed control and removal for lakes and ponds.

Projects That Do Not Require Permits
Lakeshore owners do not need a permit to cut or pull submerged vegetation in a small area for swimming or boat docking. A channel 15' wide extending to open water may be harvested in water lilies without a APM permit. Anything greater requires an AM permit. The channel is no more than 15 feet wide and takes the most direct route to open water, is maintained by cutting or pulling, and remains in the same location from year to year. Anything greater will require an APM permit.

Emergent vegetation may not be removed without a permit under any circumstances.

2,500 Square feet of submerged vegetation maybe harvested without a permit provided that the cut does not extend more than 50 feet along shore or 1/2 the owners frontage whichever is less. If access to open water is not obtained, a channel 15 feet wide can be cut to open water.

All vegetation that is cut must be removed from the lake and disposed of above the "ordinary high water level."
Excavation of bottom materials is not allowed, no lily pad roots or silt.

Project that require permits
• Destroying or preventing the growth of vegetation by placing mats or plastic sheets or similar material on the bottom of public waters.
• The destruction of aquatic vegetation within posted fish spawning areas.
• The destruction of aquatic plants at undeveloped shorelines.
• Control of aquatic plants where the vegetation does not interfere with swimming, boating, or other aquatic recreational activities.

Swimmer's Itch Control

Swimmer's Itch is an annoying skin infection contracted by some swimmers in Minnesota lakes. It is caused by a tiny parasite of waterfowl.
Non-chemical measures to prevent infection of swimmer's itch include:
• Briskly towel off after leaving the water.
• If possible, avoid wading or swimming in shallow areas near shore.
• Do not feed waterfowl at you property.
If non-chemical measures are ineffective, swimmer's itch can sometimes be reduced by applying copper sulfate in the swimming area
• Permits are required to treat swimmer's itch with copper sulfate in public waters.
Click here to read information from the DNR on removing vegetation.

Click here to contact your local office for questions.

Note: Rules & Regulations are subject to changes. Contact your local DNR or fisheries office for the most up-to-date rules. We cannot be held liable if you do not now the local regulations regarding your lake or pond.