They both feel they have a right to be there. Raymond Parks wants control, not only of who's on his property, but also how many fish are taken out of the water. He says if the courts rule the water is private property, the land owners agree they would close it to fishing while they decide how best to manage the area. Hanson questions whether land owners are in a good position to manage Long Lake. He worries that one land owner might charge for access and wonders how people would know where the property lines are.
Farmers say it's no different than having hunters on their land.
It will be several months before the lawsuit moves through the court system. A legislative committee will meet with landowners later this month to discuss both arguments. Ultimately the legislature can determine what's legal and who has rights to the land and water in Day County. Major funding for Minnesota Public Radio's regional Internet activities is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.