Boat and Water Division

Cass County covers a large recreational area.  With 514 lakes covering over 258,000 acres of water, the public does not have to go far to find fun on the water.

With a county population of 27,150; Cass County has a recreational draw of people both during the summer when the population can exceed 100,000 and during the winter months for its ice fishing, ATV's, skiing, hiking, snowmobiling and other activities.

The Sheriff's Office Boat and Water Division is supervised by a sergeant, who oversees the entire program, including the volunteer program and the safety/education component.

Currently, the Sheriff's Office has boats permanently on Leech Lake, Gull Lake, Woman Lake, Pleasant Lake, Ten Mile Lake and the Outing lakes area. Other County lakes are patrolled by part-time officers.

Volunteers provide a valuable resource in the Boat and Water Safety Program. They patrol Woman Lake, Pleasant Lake, Ten Mile Lake and the Outing Lakes area.  Volunteers, such as Gull Area Lakes Association (GALA), take the responsibility in maintaining many of the buoys on lakes within the county.  Other volunteers consist of TRIAD (click here for more information). If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sgt Erick Hoglund at 218-547-7329.

Personnel

* * * REMEMBER - ICE IS NEVER SAFE * * *

Ice Safety Info:

- NEVER cross an ice heave. Leech Lake, Gull Lake and Lake Winnie all have several ice heaves.

- Check with local bait shop, resorts, or gas stations for current conditions.

- Do not put yourself or others at risk by going out on unsafe ice.

- Remember when you do go out - tell someone where you will be and what time you're coming back in to shore.

Consider The Following Safety Tips

1 - No ice should be considered safe.

2 - Check existing ice conditions as you travel.

3 - Check with local bait shop, resorts, gas stations, DNR or your local sheriff's office for conditions.

4 - Consider other means of transportation other than a motor vehicle. An ATV, snowmobile or foot travel are good choices.

5 - Do not travel on the lake after dark.

6 - Always notify someone of the area you are traveling in.

7 - Carry a cell phone when possible.

8 - Be familiar with the lake - carry a map.

9 - If you need emergency assistance, call 911.

10 - Consider a GPS unit to help you on and off the lake.

11 - Avoid the use of alcohol - save it for when you are back at the cabin.

12 - Pay attention to warning signs that are posted.

13 - When available, access the lake through a resort and travel only on plowed roads.

14 - Use common sense whenver you are out on the ice, no matter what the method of travel.

*** REMEMBER - ICE IS NEVER SAFE ***

Permit Fees

Fishing tournaments or other water event permits: $20 per event


To obtain a permit, contact Sergeant Erick Hoglund at 218-547-7329.

Boat & Water / Dive Team Photos

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Calendar of Events
(click on calendar to view)

9th Annual Multi-Agency Winter Ice Rescue Training Exercise
(click to see brochure)

Saturday, January 30, 2010

0800 - 1600 hrs

Cass Lake

Other contacts

Minnesota DNR Ice Safety Tips
Minnesota DNR Boat & Water Safety
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Communications Commission
U.S. Naval Observatory (sunrise/sunset times)
Minnesota State Legislature (statutes and rules)
Information on floating bogs: contact the Minnesota DNR @ 1-218-755-3973