Some Legal Aspects of Public and Private Waters in Minnesota

Since time immemorial mankind has made uses of water not only to sustain life but as a means of easing his burdens incident to the mode of living then existing. In past ages the oceans, bays, l~kes, rivers, and their tributary streams have been useful to man as the primary means of communication, transportation and travel. Justenance of life depended in part upon the right to use waters for fishing and fowling. As time passed, these ancient uses continued and to them new uses were added, meeting new needs arising out of a more complex way of life. These ever changing conditions, social, industrial and governmental, have from time to time presented new problems and questions, both legal and legislative, which have been met in the light of the need and necessity of surrounding circumstances and conditions.