Boating trends study

Boating in West Central Minnesota: Status in 2005 and Trends Since 1986

The west central lake region is the fourth (and final) region to receive an update study from the 1980s. Previous update studies occurred in the Twin Cities metro region, north central region, and central region. The update studies provide descriptions of how recreational boating is changing around Minnesota.

The west central lakes region is one of Minnesota's major water-recreation tourist areas. The region supports numerous resorts, campgrounds, water accesses, and seasonal homes, all of which attest to the attractiveness of lakes in the area. In addition, the region supports a local population that is expected to continue to grow at a relatively high rate for the next few decades (some 30% from 2000 to 2030), a rate of growth equivalent to the state as a whole. Pressure on the region's lake resources from population growth and tourist demands can only be expected to grow for the foreseeable future.

This boating study is an update of a study done in 1986, and changes since 1986 are presented throughout the report. The study has three broad goals: describe the many facets of the boating experience; measure the total number of boats on lakes and trace those boats to their means of access; and provide information to guide public access programs. The goals are accomplished through a combination of aerial observations and boater surveys with public access users, commercial access users (e.g., resort guests) and lakeshore residents.

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