Love Mille Lacs Lake? We do too!

Let’s keep it clean.

The Keep It Clean campaign is an initiative started by Lake of the Woods a decade ago and more recently adopted by Upper Red Lake and Mille Lacs Lake to address the growing problem of garbage and human waste left on the ice by anglers and other outdoor recreational users during ice fishing season. Keep It Clean focuses on raising awareness about the importance of leaving no trace.

A healthy lake with clean water, pristine ice and litter-free reefs and shoreline helps create the ideal environment for sustainable fishing and helps ensure that people of all ages — whether rugged outdoor enthusiasts or families — can enjoy the lake at any time of year.

How you can help stop litter and human waste from spoiling our lake and beaches

IT’S EASY TO HELP, SIMPLY FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

Make a plan for trash and waste removal before you arrive

Whether you access the lake from a public or private entrance, plan to take off of the lake what you take on to the lake. Many access points and resorts offer garbage collection services. If your site doesn’t, make a plan to transport it home for disposal.

Use colored garbage bags

In snowy conditions, white trash bags can be difficult to see. Brightly colored bags or black bags are easier to spot making it less likely trash and waste will inadvertently be left behind.

Keep your garbage and human waste off the ice

Store it in your vehicle, trailer or fish house. Make sure it’s secure before traveling so that it doesn’t blow out of track beds or off trailers and sleds.

Upon departure, check for trash

Take a moment before you depart the ice to make sure that you have picked up any garbage in your area. And if you notice someone else has left something behind, please take a moment to pick it up and bring it with you.

Allow time and bring the tools you need to move or remove your fish house

Take support blocks, insulation, landscaping fabric, wood and other materials with you and properly dispose of them.

Why is it important to leave no trace?

GARBAGE AND OTHER WASTE:

Cause Environmental Effects

They damage the health of the lake and its fishery by harming the plant life, ecosystem and fish reproduction.

Create Safety Hazards

They create year-round safety hazards for anglers and other recreational users who enjoy snowmobiling, snowkiting, boating, jet skiing, kayaking, tubing, water skiing, paddle boarding and more.

Harm Wildlife

They harm wildlife because when fish and animals ingest garbage it causes illness and death.

Reduce Tourism

They hurt tourism and local businesses as well as the families whose livelihoods rely on the income from the jobs these sectors create. No one wants to spend their hard-earned dollars vacationing in polluted areas.

It takes all of us working together to Keep It Clean!

Thank you for taking time to do your part.

Email MLACF

Mission Statement

Keep It Clean was created to protect our public waters, wetlands and wildlife habitat through education, promotion and enforcement.