Does anyone know? I asked a MN USA officer and got a rather political BS answer about safety. MN USA pays a lobbyist to supposedly work for us and with our friends in the capital. Seems like easy pikins for the DNR sitting at the end of 28 mile Lake Vermilion and many other MN lakes... MN has two snowmobile manufacturers in our state and it sure seems like MN is doing all it can to kill the sport. At least we'll have a new billion $ vikings stadium for 6 home games a year!!
Why is daytime speed limit in MN still only 50 mph?
- Thread starter dickmsp
- Start date
oldguy
Member
The speed limit on lake Vermilion is 65 as well as any lake in St Louis county that is over 10,000 acres. That was changed many years ago when a group of locals pushed some legislators to change it. The speed limit could be changed , just need the right people that have the time and energy to push it through.
Hey now, thats 8 games a year plus Playoffs!! PLAYOFFS??!!?? LOL.
Anyway, yes, 60 or 65 would be a nice and comfortable change. Even riding the fields of southern MN 50 is ridiculous.
tequilamonsta
New member
I deal with lakes that are exceptions to what Oldguy stated. Tickets do get written from time to time, but they are almost always dealing with speeds far in excess of what ya'll are suggesting/hoping for here.
I've heard that too.
Is that written in the mn snowmobile reg book? Or on the trail maps? Any other lakes or areas with the 65 exception? Id sure like to have it in my possession when I get pulled over. This will be my 10th season, first I've heard of 65 exemption. Thanks for the info. I'm no speed demon but this is one of the reasons most of my miles are put on in WI and the U P.
Oopsie... 6 games is for the new gopher stadium.. by the way everyone, apparently the recession is over In Mn!!
We can now afford $1 billion for the vikes stadium, $97 million for a re-do of Timberwolves stadium, and a new saints stadium in st Paul!! ( our b squad baseball team ). I haven't heard about the additional grooming or trail enhancements for snowmobiling yet!!
oldguy
Member
speed limit exception page 25 on the state snowmobile regulation booklet
Speed Limits
It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile in excess of:
• 50 MPH on any public lands or waters
• the posted speed limits on a trail
• a speed greater than various trail, terrain and visibility
conditions dictate
• the posted road speed limit or 50 MPH, whichever is LOWER, while operating in the ditch
• any governmental unit snowmobile speed limit. Governmental units include any city, county, municipality, township, or conservation district.
A county may enact a daytime 65 MPH speed limit for marked trails on frozen lakes that are over 10,000 acres. The county would need to pass an ordinance and receive approval by the DNR Commissioner. Individual counties will have more information on the location and status of any designated 65 MPH trails.
Speed Limits
It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile in excess of:
• 50 MPH on any public lands or waters
• the posted speed limits on a trail
• a speed greater than various trail, terrain and visibility
conditions dictate
• the posted road speed limit or 50 MPH, whichever is LOWER, while operating in the ditch
• any governmental unit snowmobile speed limit. Governmental units include any city, county, municipality, township, or conservation district.
A county may enact a daytime 65 MPH speed limit for marked trails on frozen lakes that are over 10,000 acres. The county would need to pass an ordinance and receive approval by the DNR Commissioner. Individual counties will have more information on the location and status of any designated 65 MPH trails.
bearrassler
Well-known member
They have the speed limit to keep people away so that we have the trails to ourselves.
Thanks for the info oldguy but we have to call each county to find out? I have a 2012-2013 northeast quadrant snowmobile trail map that the DNR puts out. This is the quadrant that has lake Vermilion on it. There's no information regarding the increased lake speed limit. Do you know if the local maps indicate anything? It looks like this very useful info is hidden pretty well. Are there any lists or quick reference guides to these isolated speed limit increases, or trail signs? I'm glad to know there's at least a sprinkling of common sense in MN!!!
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Also, looking at local map labeled iron trail, 2011-2012 edition, nothing is mentioned about the higher speed limit anywhere front or back on the map. I'll call the DNR and see if they can add a list to the DNR quadrant maps or a list in the reg book. I've ridden a lot across vermilion putzin away at 50 mph, never saw a sign indicating a higher speed. Lotsa counties out there to research and I still couldnt tell u all the up north counties. Or I could bring a big tape measure and figure out the acerage of each lake I cross. Hmmmm do I have to measure around any islands? Or are they included in area math problem?? Maybe our DNR friends could figure this out for us at their next $850,000.00 party. And yes u out of towners the party cost that much..it was a few years ago..
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Yes!! You'd think with all the extra $$$$ they could put a list of "high speed" lakes in the reg book or DNR and local maps!!
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Yes!! You'd think with all the extra $$$$ they could put a list of "high speed" lakes in the reg book or DNR and local maps!!
Vermilion Crane and Burndtside at a higher speed limit would help on a sadlebag trip, or a high mile day. Thank you. Now we have to get more lakes on the list
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That's reason enough to have a speed limit if you ask me. There actually are speed limits in the Keweenaw - they're called cliffs, rock outcrops, and trees.
I have been wanting to do a trip to MN for awhile. Just never happened. Always seem to have pics in our sleds. I know some trails don't allow. Plus this speed trap thing.
Hope to go someday, but if ridiculous rules continue, guess I'll drive another day west to Wyoming.
Or just stay in Wisconsin and UP.
Hope to go someday, but if ridiculous rules continue, guess I'll drive another day west to Wyoming.
Or just stay in Wisconsin and UP.
POLARISDAN
New member
More reason to stay off the beaten path and in the ditches..no minnetonka or luce line..its a reason to get in your face..and whats the difference between 50 and 65 on a lake? Be serious..90-100 after checking for ice flows..so its heads up.. Look out.. And go
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AND I THINK THEY DROPPED THE NO STUD ON THE STATE TRAIL TO MANKATO..SO IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO RUN THAT THIS YEAR..PAVED TRAILS ARE THE NO-NO FOR STUDS
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AND I THINK THEY DROPPED THE NO STUD ON THE STATE TRAIL TO MANKATO..SO IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO RUN THAT THIS YEAR..PAVED TRAILS ARE THE NO-NO FOR STUDS