History of
Spirit Lakes Improvement Association​

1984

• Spirit Lakes Improvement Association was founded. Purchased and installed the first aerator
  

1987

• Netted bullheads, removed 24,470 lbs.
  

1988

• Netted bullheads, removed 18,050 lbs.
• Built a pier for boat landing.

1990

• DNR installed a new 3-line underwater aerator in Big Spirit.

1991

• Installed our aerator(from 1984) in Little Spirit

1991-1996

• Entered floats in the Ice Age Parade to promote SLIA.

1992

• Applied for "Clear Water Grant." It was approved in 1993 and study was done.

1993

• DNR installed another aerator in Little Spirit.

1993-1994

• Built log fish cribs for Big Spirit.

1994

• Work was done on the wings of the dam. Big rocks were removed, clay and riprap were put in with rocks on top, stopping the leaking of water around the dam.

1994-2000

• Raffle calendars are used as fundraisers.

1995

• Paperwork was done to get tax-exempt status; It was approved, which means we don't pay state or federal income tax.

1996

• Added an extra line to the aerator on Big Spirit Lake at our cost. It now runs more efficiently.
• Supported making a fish refuge by the dam.
  

1996-2008

• Held spaghetti dinner during Ice Age Days.

1997

• Purchased a storage shed for a tent, table, etc.

1998

• Purchased and installed 50 plastic fish cribs in Big Spirit, purchased 6 new buoys.

1999

• Cooperative effort of SLIA, DNR, both Counties, and both townships to repair the dam.

2000

• Purchased and installed 50 plastic fish cribs in Big Spirit.
• Harvested 810,000 pounds of weeds from Little Spirit.
  

2001

• Harvested weeds on Little Spirit.
• Created Lake Association website www.spiritlakeassoc.org
• Began chemical testing of lakes.

2002

• Began holding Kids’ Fishing Day.

2003

• Purchased an underwater camera.

2004

• Obtained land use agreement from DNR.
• Built a shelter building at the boat landing.
• Began investigating the feasibility of dredging the channel.
  

2005

• The association provides porta-potties at the boat landing
• Began paying to have snow plowed.
• Hired an engineer to assist in the permitting process to dredge the channel.
• Received DNR permit to dredge channel.

2006

• Began fundraising efforts for the channel dredging project.
• Decided to operate a walleye rearing pond for 2007.
• Purchased and stocked 650 Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Changed the electric hook-up on the Big Lake aerator.
• Replaced rock and channel buoys.

2009

• We were awarded a grant from the Wisconsin Waterways Commission to partially fund the dredging project.
• Over 4000 Walleye were stocked in October.

2010

• After 5 years of preparation and fundraising, the channel was dredged, removing approx 5000 cubic yards of sediment.
• A new shallow water warning buoy was put in North of the island.
• In October, 916 Walleye fingerlings were put in Big Spirit, and 692 were put in Little Spirit.

Click for more photos

2011

• Replaced the aerator on Little Spirit Lake.
• Held the first annual Musky Tournament.
• Stocked 1059 large Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Stocked 630 large Walleye fingerlings in Little Spirit.

2012

• Replaced a channel buoy.
• Stocked 1070 large Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Stocked 630 large Walleye fingerlings in Little Spirit.

2013

• Replaced the aerator on Big Spirit Lake.
• Insulated and sheeted the shelter building walls.
• Stocked 1065 large Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Stocked 630 large Walleye fingerlings in Little Spirit.

2014

• Joined Facebook. www.facebook.com/spiritlakeassoc
• Received a grant from the State of Wisconsin to conduct a phosphorus study.
• Stocked 1315 large Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Stocked 730 large Walleye fingerlings in Little Spirit.

2015

• Conducted a phosphorus study.
• Stocked 1065 large Walleye fingerlings in Big Spirit.
• Stocked 930 large Walleye fingerlings in Little Spirit.

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