spirit-lake-improvement-association

NEW ACTIVE ALERT

Tue, 12 May 2026 15:23:38 GMT

New Active Alert

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2026 Kids Fishing Contest

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:18:49 GMT

Event Title

The 2026 Kids Fishing Contest will take place on Saturday, August 8th, 2026.

2026 Annual Meeting

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:18:03 GMT

Annual Meeting - May 23rd

The annual meeting will be held on May 23, 2026

Ice Fishing Contest Raffle Items

Tue, 05 May 2026 12:16:21 GMT

Ice Fishing Contest Raffle Items

We've Been Recommended

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 00:34:33 GMT

We've Been Recommended

We've been recommended this book by a Wisconsin author as an every-person’s introduction to lakes and the wonders of life on, in, above, and around the water.

2018 Newsletter

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 00:32:41 GMT

2018 Newsletter

Weed Removal

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 00:29:36 GMT

Weed Removal

In a recent Board Meeting, Mr. Gregg Jablonowski of ECO Waterway Services provided a review of their services regarding weed (invasive/noninvasive) removal. Some of the highlights of the presentation:

i. No chemicals used, and this action is not considered dredging.
ii. Bagged pulled weeds. Disposal is free if the customer can provide a dumpster or dumping site.
iii. $200/$225 approx. per hour, for a minimum of five days would be best.
iv. Eco Waterway will work to have all interested parties band together to make this feasible.

If you know of any interested land owners, please send an email to spiritlakeassoc@gmail.com, and we will contact you. This is only a survey to see if we can get enough members to sign on after being given a bid. Any questions, please let us know. This would not be done before the spring of 2018 at the earliest.
Thank you.

2017 Board Members

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:25:17 GMT

2017 Board Members

At the May 27 SLIA annual meeting, the following officers and board members were elected:

President – Tim Stieve (Term: 2017 – 2019)
Vice President – Brian Arndt (Term: 2017 – 2019)
Secretary – Vicki Kroiss (Term: 2017 – 2019)
Treasurer – Sue Mohr (Term: 2017 – 2019)

At Large Board Members:
Tom Wendt (Term: 2017 – 2019)
Trent Weik (Term: 2017 – 2019)
Joe Pintarro (Term: 2017 – 2019)

Previously elected board members are:
Joe Wojcik (Term: 2016 – 2018)
Joe Burger (Term: 2016 – 2018)
Jeff Hansen (Term: 2016 – 2018)
Ed Davis (Term: 2016 – 2018)

2017 Winter Newsletter

Sat, 28 Jan 2017 11:22:38 GMT

2017 Winter Newsletter

Results of the Invasive Plants Survey

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:27:12 GMT

Results of the Invasive Plants Survey

Chris Hamerla of the Golden Sands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., presented the results of their invasive plants survey of the Spirit Lakes.

Attention Bird Watchers

Sun, 12 Jun 2016 00:24:10 GMT

Attention Bird Watchers

Attention bird watchers. The Association recently received this letter:
The WI Breeding Bird Atlas is underway. I have attached a file briefly describing the project (Click here). If you have any members who are avid bird watchers or feeders, could you forward this message to them, as they may be interested in helping out with the project?

Thanks for your assistance,

Jim Krakowski
Price County, WI Breeding Bird Atlas Coordinator

Calling All Volunteers

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 11:14:49 GMT

Calling All Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for a couple of painting projects. Please let any board member know or send an email to spiritakeassoc@gmail.com.

Golf Tournament & Chili Cook-Off

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 00:21:54 GMT

Golf Tournament & Chili Cook-Off

Hello everyone, my name is Tom Schuh from Hannah's Hen House on Little Spirit, and a proud member of the [TCTL] Taylor County Tavern League. We are having a 9-hole golf tournament on Little Spirit Lake, February 27th 2016.

This fundraiser is to help with the many programs we support, such as Scholarships to area schools, Light of Light Christmas dinner, and numerous projects we support.

We are asking for your help with this project. We are asking for prizes, support, advertising, and, of course, you.

With the golfing tournament, we are also having a chili cookoff. We would like to sell the chili, with the money going towards the scholarship program for area schools.

We are looking for judges and a grand prize donation for the best Chili recipe. Also, donations and prizes for each hole on the golf course.

TCTL members are asking for your help, and please consider this a great cause.

For more information, feel free to contact your local TCTL member or me at 715 427 1332.

Again, thank you for your help and the prizes donated.

Tom Schuh and the Taylor County Tavern League

2016 Winter Newsletter

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:12:20 GMT

2016 Winter Newsletter

Baby Its Cold Outside!

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:10:58 GMT

Baby It's Cold Outside

Little Spirit was frozen over November 22 and Big Spirit was frozen over November 28, 2015.

Loon Watch

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 00:09:22 GMT

Loon Watch

Ken and Vicki Kroiss will be participating in the Loon Watch on North Spirit Lake and have also become Loon Rangers for both Spirit Lake and North Spirit Lake. In the latter role, they could use your help.

June 27, 2015

Greetings SLIA Members,

Exciting news! On July 18, 2015, Ken and Vicki Kroiss will be participating in the Loon Watch on North Spirit Lake. Every five years since 1985, LoonWatch has conducted a one-day loon survey on a pre-selected group of lakes to estimate the size and distribution of Wisconsin’s Common Loon population. This survey is vital to assessing the effectiveness of current conservation efforts with the loon population. Ken and Vicki will be counting Common Loons only.

The count during the specific hours may show “0,” and that is okay, but it is critical that North Spirit Lake is surveyed. Any loons seen on previous days or times will not be counted in this one-day study.

Ken and Vicki have also become the Loon Rangers for both Spirit Lake and North Spirit Lake. This study is not a snapshot picture of our loon population as discussed in the first two paragraphs. This is a season-long observation, and Ken and Vicki are asking for your help. The efforts we put in collectively will help provide a clear picture of Common Loon reproductive success and population trends in Northern Wisconsin. Northland College leads these studies and trains the rangers several times throughout the year.

The loon is a sentinel species-a living symbol of clean water, good fisheries, and an indicator of healthy aquatic ecosystems. As rangers and reporters, we can be the voice for loons and their healthy aquatic habitat. We can help provide protection and stewardship for loons on our lake and throughout the lakes area where you reside.

Ken and Vicki will collect six or more observations between May 15 and July 15, as well as two observations of chicks in August (if any hatched), and this data will be added to an important analysis of population dynamics to determine the status of loons in the state. Kroiss also needs to count the number of floaters observed on the lake. They are looking for the maximum number of floaters you observe at one time. Floaters are usually seen on the lake but are unsuccessful in claiming a territory, finding a mate, or are relatively young loons. They are often seen alone, occasionally in large groups, and do not reproduce. That information will help researchers determine if floaters will intrude on territorial pairs, and if increasing intrusions will cause lower productivity or fewer chicks.

If in your travels on the lake or from the shoreline, you see floaters, could you count them, record the time and area, and email Kroiss’-vkroiss@gmail.com. The more accurate the count, the better picture we can send to Northland College.

Any questions, please also email Vicki or Ken.

2015 Aquatic Plants Survey

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:06:52 GMT

2015 Aquatic Plants Survey

The Spirit Lakes Improvement Association is looking for up to three volunteers with pontoon boats to assist a consulting group that will be surveying aquatic plants, both native and invasive, that reside in the two lakes. The weather will dictate whether the survey is conducted on Monday, July 13, or Tuesday, July 14. Interested volunteers should contact SLIA president Tim Stieve at tdstieve@charter.net.

Sorry, there was a miscommunication on dates; the survey was conducted on June 30.

No invasive plant species were found. Yea!

A Note from President Tim Stieve

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 10:47:02 GMT

A Note from President Tim Stieve

Hello Spirit Lake Improvement Association Members:

At the Annual meeting, elections for the Board were held and I wanted to introduce the Board for the 2015-2016 year. However, before I do that, I wanted to take a few moments to send out some BIG THANK YOU’S:

Joe Burger – Joe spent the last 14 years as our President, and four years prior to that as a Board of Directors member. During his time as President, Joe has guided the SLIA through many major projects, including the Dredging project and our current ongoing Algae Study. Joe will continue for the next year as a Board of Directors Member.

Jim Poirier – Jim has served on the SLIA Board since 1989 - WOW! Jim served as President, Vice President, Treasurer (the last 10 years), and Board of Directors. Jim was instrumental in developing and maintaining the SLIA Website and has headed up the Kids' Fishing Contest. Unfortunately, Jim is dealing with some health issues that will no longer allow him to serve, but no doubt Jim has done his fair share and then some.

Phyllis Kolecheck – Phyllis has served as the SLIA Secretary for the past 14 years. Taking all the minutes over so many years for so many meetings is no small task! Additionally, Phyllis has handled maintaining and ordering the SLIA clothing that is available.

If you get the chance to meet or speak with these very dedicated people, please take a few minutes to extend them each a very big THANK YOU for all that they have done!!!

2015-2016 Board

President – Tim Stieve
Vice President – Brian Arndt
Secretary – Vicki Kroiss
Treasurer – Sue Mohr

Board Member – Joe Burger
Board Member – Ed Davis
Board Member – Jeff Hanson
Board Member – Jim Miller
Board Member – Dennis Strunk
Board Member – Tom Wendt
Board Member – Joe Wojcik

Next Year’s Annual Meeting will be held on May 28th, 2016, starting at 10 am. If you have an interest in serving, please do not be shy.

The Ice is Gone!

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:04:56 GMT

The Ice is Gone!

The ice is off both lakes! Yea!

We Need Your Help!

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:03:27 GMT

We Need Your Help!

If you own frontage on the lakes we need your help.

We need to catalogue landowners' wells and septic systems as the final step in our algae study.

Volunteers will be contacting landowners to get the info below.
The following is a sample of the info I need to do this.
If you email this info to me about your well and septic at burgerjt@charter.net, it will save us the time and effort of contacting you.

Thank You

Joe Burger 715-573-8014

Owner's Name
Fire No:
Street
County

Burger Family Partnership
N9578 Spirit Lake Road
Taylor
Well Septic
Drilled; 1967; 90'
Holding Tank; 2006

Vandalism

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:00:52 GMT

Vandalism

When the DNR technician was checking the oxygen levels in the lakes on Monday, he noticed the barricade was down around the open water area at the Little Spirit Lake aerator. The ropes were cut, and the posts were dislodged. This vandalism apparently occurred between the Ice Fishing Jamboree on Saturday and Monday morning.

If you see any future vandalism, please report it to the Taylor County Sheriff (715) 748-1448.

2013 Algae Update

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:58:43 GMT

2013 Algae Update

Project Overview
The engineering firm (Graef-USA), which we hired to apply for the grant for our algae study, has prepared this draft of the scope of the project.

This will be presented to the WDNR for their input prior to the application being submitted.

The project has been broken into a four-phase project. This scope gets us through the first two phases.

Phase one is studying the water flow through our lakes, including groundwater inflow, Stone Creek inflow, and other sources.

Included with the flow monitoring is water sampling and lake management planning.

Phase two is a feasibility study that will use the results of phase one to determine if our lake is a candidate for some sort of phosphorus-limiting treatment.

Phase three will be more testing and studying to determine the appropriate treatment.

Phase four will be the actual treatment.

"This grant application will be only for the first two phases because the phase two results might show us there is no appropriate treatment for our lake, then there will be no reason to proceed with the other phases."
And if that study and testing prove favorable, we will then proceed with a grant application for phase four.

As we proceed with all of these phases, we will need to provide in-kind support of the project to keep the cost down and to be considered for the grant.

That will include volunteers to help with the monitoring and sampling, use of vehicles, ATVs, pontoons, and boats, and other tasks that we can provide.

Please note that anyone who helps with any of these tasks should keep some kind of log or notes to verify what was done and how much time it took to complete the task.

We will need to provide this information to the WDNR at the conclusion of the project to verify that we have supplied adequate in-kind support.

Thank you all in advance for any help you will provide.

Also, a special thanks to the Magnuson family for once again providing us access to the snowmobile bridge, where some of the monitoring in phase one will occur.

Joe Burger
President

Project Scope

Phase I
Task 1 : Stream Gauging

The surface water flows will be measured at the inlet and outlet streams, and in the channel connecting the two lakes. The proposed location to gauge the inlet stream is at the bridge on the private drive of Mr. Ole Magnuson. Measurements will be collected monthly at these locations from May through October, for a total of six measurements. The flow velocity measurements are to be made during dry weather conditions occurring at least three days after a rainfall event greater than 0.5 inches.

The streams will be gauged using a Swoffer Model 2100 stream flow meter. At the measuring locations, pieces of iron rebar rod will be driven into the ground on both sides of the stream. A measuring tape will be stretched between the rebar rods to allow for evenly spaced measurements to be made. The water depth and velocity will be measured at the center of five-foot-wide sections across the streams. The data will be recorded on a field form attached to a field notebook.

GRAEF personnel will meet with Lake Association volunteers and train them on flow velocity measurement methods and the use of the Swoffer Model 2100 stream flow meter. GRAEF personnel will collect the first set of data with volunteers, and the remaining five sets of measurements will be collected by volunteers.

Water samples will be collected when the stream velocity is measured. One sample at the inlet, one sample at the outlet, and one at the channel between the two lakes will be collected during all six velocity measurement events. The samples will be sent to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) for analysis of total phosphorus. The samples will be collected in WSLH-supplied sampling containers and shipped to the WSLH under Chain-of-Custody protocol. GRAEF will train the Lake Association volunteers on water sampling procedures and sample handling protocols.

The resulting stream velocity and depth data will be evaluated by GRAEF using United States Geological Survey (USGS) standard methods for calculating stream discharges from depth and velocity readings. Spreadsheets of the depth and velocity readings will be prepared for presentation in tabular format. The difference between the inflow and the outflow will be equated to the groundwater discharge total into both lakes. The difference between the measured flow at the channel will be compared to the measured flow at the inlet and at the outlet to quantify the groundwater flow into North Spirit Lake.

The channel between the lakes has more than twice the cross-sectional area compared with the cross-sectional areas of the inlet and outlet channels, and as a result, the water velocity in the channel between the lakes is likely to be lower and more difficult to measure accurately.

Task 2: Sampling Groundwater at Springs

Water samples will be collected at springs and flowing wells identified by Lake Association volunteers in order to estimate the phosphorus concentration in groundwater discharging into North Spirit Lake. Three springs were identified by the Lake Association as locations where groundwater discharges into Northern Spirit Lake. One artesian well that discharges above ground, located adjacent to North Spirit Lake, was also identified by Lake Association volunteers as a possible sampling point. Two water samples from each of these springs and flowing wells will be collected by Lake Association Volunteers using WSLH-supplied containers. These water samples will be collected two times during the course of the study.

Task 3: Groundwater Modeling

GRAEF will use the gauging of the inlet and outlet streams at controlled sections to estimate the groundwater flux into both lakes as a unit. The accuracy of gauging the channel between the two lakes is likely to be less than the two controlled sections because of the larger size of the channel and slower velocities, the nature of the channel bottom, and possible multidirectional flows due to the two lakes and the inlet stream. A two-dimensional analytical element groundwater model will be used to approximate the areas supplying groundwater to North Spirit Lake and to Spirit Lake. Assuming similar geological conditions at both lakes, the model will be used to estimate the groundwater inflows to the two lakes and compared to the results of the stream gauging.

Task 4: Land Use Inventory Review

Review land use, based on commercially available photographic data, to incorporate into the Lake Management Plan. Summary statistics will be developed to describe the conditions as part of the Lake Management Planning efforts.

Task 5: Evaluate Sampling Results

Using the stream gauging results, the groundwater flow into North Spirit Lake will be calculated. Comparing the flows at the inlet stream and the channel between the two lakes will be used to estimate the groundwater inflow to North Spirit Lake. The groundwater inflow to Spirit Lake will be calculated from the difference between the outflow from the two lakes and the flow in the channel between the two lakes. Assuming similar geological conditions adjacent to the two lakes, there should be three to five times as much groundwater flowing into Northern Spirit Lake than into Spirit Lake, based on lake sizes. Calculating the estimated groundwater flow at both lakes will be used in the Lake Management Planning efforts and allows for a cross check on the groundwater inflow estimate.

Using the phosphorus sampling results from the springs and surface water samples phosphorus mass balances will be estimated. The water flow into the lakes and the phosphorus concentration will be used to calculate a mass of phosphorus per unit time. The mass per unit time will be compared to the mass per unit time leaving the lake and compared to the estimated mass per unit time entering the lake with the groundwater inflow.

Task 6: Lake Management Planning

GRAEF will work together with Lake Association volunteers to prepare sections of a draft Lake Management Plan. An outline of the plan is as follows:

1. Background

2. Goals for the Lake

3. Lake Association Concerns

4. WDNR Concerns

5. Lake Demographics

6. Public Access and Use

7. Lake Inventory

a. Water Cycle

b. Watershed

c. Water Quality

i. Surface Water

ii. Groundwater

d. Fish and Wildlife

e. Natural Features

f. Development

8. Regulations

9. Management Strategies – Phase II

10. Assessing Effectiveness of Management – Phase III

The Lake Association volunteers will prepare information for sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7d, 7e, and 7f. GRAEF will prepare sections 4 and 8, and will collaborate with the Lake Association on sections 7a through 7c. GRAEF will compile the information provided by the volunteers, prepare the sections of the plan, and edit the document. Section 9, the Management Strategies will be prepared in Phase II, following the collection and evaluation of the groundwater quality data. Section 10, Assessing Effectiveness of Management, will be an ongoing evaluation regarding attainment of the management goals.

Phase II
Task 1: Feasibility

The possibility of managing the phosphorus level in North Spirit Lake will be evaluated based on the results of Phase I investigation and the WDNR 2011 study. The conceptual feasibility of treatment methods will be evaluated, including aeration, pumping from the lake bottom during stratification, treating the surface water flowing into the lake with iron slag bundles, and alum treatments.

If the levels of phosphorus in the groundwater are determined to be sufficiently low, the possibility of treating phosphorus in North Spirit Lake with alum will be investigated. Determining the details of planning an alum treatment typically involves determining the internal phosphorus loading resulting from the release of phosphorus from sediments. Sediment samples would be collected from the lake for laboratory evaluation of the internal phosphorus loading from lake sediments.

Task 2: Lake Management Planning

Revise the lake management plan to include the information resulting from the Phase I investigations and the Phase II Task 1 feasibility evaluations.

Walleye Bag Limit

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:52:51 GMT

Walleye Bag Limit

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress Hearing was held on Monday, April 8th evening.
Question 96 The proposal to change the Walleye Bag limit on Spirit Lakes was supported by a better than two-to-one vote.

This vote is only an advisory vote, but it moves us one step closer to a regulation change.

A special Thank You to those who attended the county meetings or emailed their support.

Spring Has Arrived!

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:50:44 GMT

Spring Has Arrived!

The ice is completely gone!

Little Spirit 4/28/2014 3/20/2012 4/25/2011

Big Spirit 3/21/2012 4/26/2011

2012 Aquatic Plant Survey

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:49:25 GMT

2012 Aquatic Plant Survey

This past summer, the DNR did an aquatic plant survey of North Spirit.

New Aerator on Little Spirit

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:46:26 GMT

New Aerator on Little Spirit

This summer we purchased and installed a new aerator on Little Spirit. The old one had broke down at the end of this past years aeration season. The repair cost would have been substantial so we elected to purchase a new system.

2011 DNR Lake Study

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:44:48 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

On 6/17/2011, Joe Burger met with the DNR to review the results of the initial study regarding the algae issue in our lakes. More information is needed to determine if the high phosphorus level can be addressed. Our association would need to pay for an additional study.

Please review the meeting summary:

2011 Crappie Update

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:36:06 GMT

2011 Crappie Update

You may have noticed some dead Crappie.

Here is info from the DNR:
The seasonal timing, presumed water temperature, and affected species would suggest that a columnaris infection has caused some fish mortality in Spirit Lake. Last Tuesday, we received a similar report of dead crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseeds in North Spirit Lake. Apparently, the die-off began over the weekend of June 4-5. Fish kills from columnaris rarely affect abundance and size structure at the population level, so there's no need for concern unless rafts of dead fish (1000s or 10000s) start to accumulate on the windswept shores. Thanks for the report. We'll log your observations into our statewide fish kill database. Jeff Scheirer

2011 Walleye Stocking Project

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:33:01 GMT

2011 Walleye Stocking Project

Joe Wojick heads up our Walleye stocking project and has provided an update on the project .

THE THREE REARING PONDS ARE STOCKED WITH FATHEAD MINNOWS, WAITING FOR OUR 2'' WALLEYES TO ARRIVE[NORMALLY FIRST WEEK JULY] . OUR NEW POND, THE COUNTY POND IS THE LARGEST OF THE THREE. IT IS OUR FIRST YEAR WITH THIS POND, SO WE ARE PUTTING A SMALLER SHARE OF WALLEYES IN THE COUNTY POND THIS FIRST TEST YEAR. MAYBE 4000 FINGERLINGS, OF THE 15000 THE DNR IS GIVING US THIS YEAR TO REAR UP.
THE PLANTING LARGE FINGERLINGS SEEMS TO BE A SUCCESS ON SPIRIT AS THERE ARE A LOT OF SMALL WALLEYES BEING CAUGHT , AND BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTED IN 2007 THERE WERE NO SMALL WALLEYES TO BE HAD IN SPIRIT.
THE COUNTY POND NEEDS A LITTLE WORK YET, WE NEED STEPS GOING DOWN TO THE NETTING AREA.. IF ANYONE IS WILLING TO TAKE ON THIS PROJECT THEY CAN CALL ME AT 715 965 0250 .
WE ALSO WILL NEED HELP DURING OUR WALLEYE MOVING THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER. IF YOU WISH TO HELP CALL ME AT 715 965 0250 OR EMAIL TO WOJCIK@TDS.NET WE NEED 5 TO 6 PEOPLE EACH NIGHT OF THE MOVING,POSSIBLY 3 NIGHTS
THANKS JOE W.

NR 115 Shore land Zoning rules

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 23:25:25 GMT

NR 115 Shore land Zoning rules

Wisconsin's NR 115 sets minimum zoning standards for unincorporated shorelands (within 1,000 ft of lakes/ponds/flowages or 300 ft of rivers/streams) to protect water quality, habitat, and natural beauty. Key rules include a 75-foot structural setback from the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM), impervious surface limits, and restrictions on shoreline vegetation removal.

New High-water Level

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 23:23:02 GMT

New High-water Level

We hit a new highwater level for 2010. A few sections of docks have been rescued on the big lake. If you are missing part of your dock, take a tour of the shoreline, and you may find your missing dock.

Happy Summer!

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:09:19 GMT

Happy Summer!

This is up the creek in the channel. Notice the snowmobile bridge in the background. This was mid-afternoon.

Columnaris

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:20:00 GMT

Columnaris

Over the Memorial Day weekend, a number of dead Crappie were noticed, especially in the big lake. We also saw this last year. The DNR believes it is caused by a bacterium called Columnaris.

DNR Information:

Just to remind everyone, when water temperatures reach 65 to 70F, and rain events cause organic material to run into natural waterbodies, the conditions are excellent for the columnaris bacteria (Flavobacterium columnare) to thrive and multiply. Combine this with increases in spawning hormones (or other stress), which suppress the fish's immune system, and you have the ideal recipe for a columnaris outbreak. Often, just a single species/year class is affected. Other times, a multi-species kill can occur. The most commonly affected fish in Wisconsin are bluegills, crappies, yellow perch, and bullheads. I have attached a few scanned photos from historic columnaris kills showing the characteristic yellow necrotic areas on the gills, eroded gill filaments, and sloughing skin. The bacteria are so aggressive that they can also erode the maxillae and mandible. The time from infection to death can be very short (24 hours), depending on the amount of bacteria in the water and the level of stress the fish experiences. The fish die from an osmoregulatory imbalance. (Electrolytes leak out of the eroded/necrotic areas). If you can see these signs in fish from a fish kill that occurs in late May through June, the cause is likely columnaris, and there is no need to send fish to Madison for necropsy. If you do not feel 100% sure that columnaris is the cause of a kill, call me and make arrangements to send fish to Madison. Let me know if you have any questions.

Susan Marcquenski Fish Health Specialist
WI Department of Natural Resources
Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707

Phone:608.266.2871
Fax: 608.266.2244
E-mail: susan.marcquenski@dnr.state.wi.us

Boat Ramp Update

Wed, 12 May 2010 23:14:55 GMT

Boat Ramp Update

A couple of weeks ago we had fractured rock put in at the boat ramp to hopefully prevent washout at the end of the ramp. The area was dug out and fractured rock the size of of a football was put in and tramped with a backhoe. Please do not power load boats as this is what causes the problem!

Removing 5000 Cubic Yards of Sediment

Sat, 01 May 2010 16:59:21 GMT

Removing 5,000 Cubic Yards of Sediment

In 2010, after 5 years of preparation and fundraising, the channel was dredged, removing approx 5000 cubic yards of sediment.

2015 Summer Newsletter

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 11:10:04 GMT