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Welcome to the first issue of Lake Ripples!
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You have received this first bi-monthly eNewsletter from Extension Lakes because you:
1) Signed up directly,
2) Are on our electronic Lake Tides newsletter list,
3) Are currently an important contact for your lake organization,
4) Are involved in either (or both) the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network or Clean Boats, Clean Waters, or
5) Are a public elected official.
Due to the cost of printing and mailing our long-running, free Lake Tides newsletter (50 years this year!), we will have to decrease publishing to only three issues annually. We still want to connect you with important resources and stories related to our state's precious lakes. Enter, Lake Ripples, your eNews source for timely updates about Wisconsin's lakes! If you know of others who would like this publication, please have them subscribe here!
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Making a Splash: Success Stories
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Frozen in Time: Ice Data on Black Oak Lake Dating Back to 1909
It's hard to come up with a more official visual to mark the winter season in Wisconsin than when a waterbody freezes and thaws completely. Time to set up the shanty! Grab your skates! Tracking the dates of freezing and thawing, known as ice-on and ice-off dates, is an integral part of long-term lake research. As is the case for much of Wisconsin's lake data, community volunteers play a key role in gathering and reporting this information.
On Black Oak Lake in Vilas County, lake residents have been recording the ice-off dates for…drumroll please…115 years! In 1909, Emil Wiesse began noting the date the ice disappeared from the lake by recording it on his garage wall. This tradition was passed on to fellow lake residents when the need arose, until 1998 when Black Oak Lake Preservation Federation members John Annin and Walt Bates took over as Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) volunteers. Remarkably, the observations have all taken place in the same bay where the last of the lake ice is commonly found, adding more value and validity to over a century's worth of data.
Thanks to the data collected by lake monitors and phenology enthusiasts, like those on Black Oak Lake, we have a better idea of the changes our waterbodies are experiencing! As this data set continues to grow, the fact that today’s ice fishing season is shorter than in the 1970s becomes more and more apparent. So, how will we use this information to keep our waters healthy for the future?
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Phenology Fun Fact
Today (January 15) was last winter's (2023-24) freeze-over date for Lake Mendota in Madison, WI.
The earliest Lake Mendota has ever frozen over was November 23, the winter of 1880-81, which also happens to be the year of its longest ice duration.
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Upcoming Events and Funding Opportunities
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Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention
Register now for the 2025 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention taking place March 26-28 in Stevens Point (a virtual option is also available)!
- LEARN from respected experts, grassroots organizers, and passionate water advocates!
- ENGAGE in the pre- and post-convention workshops and over 60 concurrent sessions!
- ENHANCE your network of water-focused professionals!
Register now! 20% off by January 31
(Students receive an additional 50% discount!)
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Angler R3 Grants - deadline: Feb. 18
Does your organization want to increase anglers in Wisconsin and expand angling from non-traditional audiences? Consider applying for the Angler Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation (R3) grant through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/angler.html
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Healthy Lakes & Rivers New Grant Application and Rolling Deadline
Healthy Lakes & Rivers (HLR) grant applications* are now accepted year-round! No pre-application is required, but first-time applicants must provide photos and design plans for approval to their regional DNR biologist prior to implementation. One application may be submitted per fiscal year. In addition to the revised rolling deadline, a new HLR grant application was developed to streamline and simplify the process (check out this video tutorial). Interested applicants should work with their regional DNR biologist and the statewide HLR Environmental Grants Specialist to create a strong application. To get started, visit the website at healthylakeswi.com. *Grants are available to lake or river organizations, municipalities, and Tribal governments.
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Are you planning to go fishing this Saturday and Sunday during Wisconsin's FREE FISHING WEEKEND?
If you plan to keep fish, review the DNR's Safe Eating Guidelines to stay informed of potential consumption advisories impacting some waterbodies throughout the state.
Remember, no ice is ever 100% safe.
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Wisconsin's Lake List
Did you know that the Extension Lakes program manages a list of all lake organizations in the state, including lake associations and lake districts? You can search the Wisconsin Lake List by organization type, county, or name. Each record has a general contact as well as a website. This resource is to help lake organizations connect with each other and allow the general public to contact lake organizations with questions. The Lake List needs constant updating, so if you see an organization with outdated information, please send us updates at lakes@uwsp.edu.
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Add a donation of $2 or more when you’re registering your boat.
OR
1. Log into your ‘Go Wild’ account (or create one) at gowild.wi.gov2. Click on ‘Purchase Products’
3. Click on ‘Misc/Other’ tab
4. Select ‘Aquatic Invasive Species Donation’
5. Enter a donation of $2 or more
6. Click on ‘Add to Cart’
7. Confirm payment type and click ‘Checkout’
8. Click on ‘Make Payment’
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Did this come to you from a friend? Subscribe HERE.
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