By Steve Weisman

“Oh, What a Night” is a famous song by Franki Valli & The Four Seasons…and the title of the song fits perfectly with the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s (IGLFC) Fall DNR Night held at Oak Hill Outdoor on Thursday, November 11! Since there was so much important information covered, over the next couple of weeks, I will devote a column covering the DNR night.

First, a “tip of the hat “to the IGLFC members. Attendance numbers were shattered with the attendance right at 260 people! Definitely great enthusiasm and lots and lots of pizza devoured. Would you believe over 70 jumbo Godfather’s pizzas! At the same time, club membership has now hit another milestone – 450 individual/family memberships!

It was definitely a proud night for the IGLFC officers and board members. Terry Thomsen, IGLFC president, introduced the program for the evening and reflected on the volunteer efforts of the club’s membership. “Over the course of 24 kids’ events, our volunteers have reached out to and worked with over 1,000 youngsters in the past year. Through the fundraising efforts of the club, kids received over $50,000 (retail) in fishing tackle and product at our youth events. A big thanks to all of our members and our many, many sponsors.”

Leading the way: Keep It Clean

According to Thomsen, the IGLFC is taking on a new problem on area lakes. After visiting with Iowa DNR officials, area baitshops, anglers and people who simply love the Iowa Great Lakes, the IGLFC is spearheading the “Keep It Clean” initiative! Working with the support of the area protective associations – Spirit Lake Protective Association, Okoboji Protective Association and East Lake Improvement Corporation – the goal is to raise awareness of the importance of keeping the ice clean as we recreate on the ice this winter.

Nothing is more infuriating than going out on the ice and getting to our fishing spot and witnessing plastic bags, pop and beer cans, partially eaten sandwiches, banana peels, apple cores, candy wrappers, bait containers, empty propane cylinders…you name it!

Thomsen says, “We’ve talked about this over the years, and last year when Joe Henry, executive director for the Lake of the Woods Tourism in northern Minnesota, was here for the Okoboji Blue Water Festival, he encouraged us to do a keep the ice clean initiative. He even suggested we could model our efforts after the Minnesota Keep It Clean program. In 2023, their initiative  became law in Minnesota. “

Definitely needed

There is simply too much garbage left on the ice. Whether it’s snowmobiling or ice fishing, too many people leave their refuse behind. With the partnership with the protective associations, the IGLFC is implementing the “Keep It Clean” campaign.

First off, reflective 4-foot color signs will be placed just on the edge of the ice at all of the lake accesses on Big Spirit, East Okoboji, West Okoboji, Upper Gar and Lake Minnewashta. The signs will read KEEP IT CLEAN – IT’S THE LAW – ICE IS NO PLACE FOR YOUR GARBAGE OR WASTE!

I don’t think the message can be any clearer than that. At the same time, throughout the ice season, beginning in December, the IGLFC will partner with KUOO radio station with a “Keep It Clean” advertising blitz.

During the DNR Night, Captain Greg Harson, Northwest Iowa District Law Enforcement Supervisor, noted, “We take littering seriously, and if we see littering going on, we will address the situation and write citations. The “Keep It Clean” initiative will definitely help our conservation officers. We can’t always be on the ice, so we encourage everyone who sees littering happening on the ice to give one of our conservation officers a call. There is a $95 fine for littering on the lake.”

Here is the code: “No person shall discard any litter onto or in any water or land of this state.” It specifically prohibits placing waste, refuse, or litter in any area or receptacle on public lands and waters, except those provided for that purpose.

What a great evening! Next week, we will take a look at other topics covered at the annual IGLFC’s DNR Night.

(photo submitted) Some of the great crowd at the annual IGLFC DNR Night.

Signage for Keep Ice Clean initiative.