GARRISON -- A St. Cloud man swam 14 miles in roughly ten hours Monday to bring attention to our state's natural resources.

Terry Anderson,of St. Cloud, planned the swim to put a spotlight on Mille Lacs Lake and return it to its natural walleye producing state, saying it won't take too much.

"It can be fixed, that habitat is there, there just has to be the will, cooperation and some creative solutions."

The Lake's been in trouble recently despite it's high rankings among fishermen across the country.

Area business and resort owners on Mille Lacs say they're frustrated with Governor Mark Dayton’s Walleye fishing restrictions. Some resort owners say profits have dropped almost 75% due to the walleye restrictions.

Anderson says he hopes his journey across the lake will continue to open the lines of communication and bring the lake back to its vibrant state. Calling our lakes an opportunity.

"It's one of the things that isn't available in other parts of the country and other parts of the world, so this [our lakes] is truly a gift for us."

He added, one thing he wanted to bring light to was a non-violent way to protest after so many have turned violent in recent months.

"How horrible some of them [protests] have gotten, how innocent people have been the victims, I think you can support a cause, and do it in a positive way."

Gov. Mark Dayton recently canceled a meeting with business owners near Mille Lacs Lake after he was greeted by protesters who oppose how the state manages the lake’s struggling walleye population.

Photo: Richard Leguil, WJON
Photo: Richard Leguil, WJON
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