Whitefish Chain CLICK HERE to see webcam photo taken in last 2 minutes
CLICK HERE to see Whitefish Chain weather forecast
CLICK HERE to see map of Chain
CLICK HERE for lake water level page and current levels
Lower Hay webcam/weather courtesy Steve Curry
5-7-2013 Minnesota DNR starts using dogs trained to detect zebra mussels! You Tube Video HERE
May 1, 2013 Spring Newsletter
Find out what's happening at the lake! CLICK HERE
We are excited about the new more attractive, easier to read format!
Jack Wallschaeger, former WAPOA President, passed away at age 81 on April 20, 2013.
He was a visionary who acted on his visions.
Those who wish for a continuation of his work for clean water are invited to make a contribution in Jack's name to Land and Waters, a Preservation Trust....details here
NOTICE: TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BIG TROUT ACCESS
The Big Trout Lake watercraft access is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. June 2 to June 14. The improper runoff of surface water into the lake will be corrected with a reconstruction of the access. A joint project of the DNR, Crow Wing County Soil and Water Conservation District, US Army Corps of Engineers, and WAPOA. Details HERE
Make sure your lake service provider is DNR certified---Check the latest DNR list HERE
SHORELAND RESTORATION CONTEST COMING UP SOON!
You can enter our Shoreland Restoration Contest. There will be several winners who will share a total of $6,000. WAPOA will introduce you to local experts who will give you free advice and help with your planning.
Preliminary open house with free light refreshments on June 5, 2013. Actual contest night June 19, 2013........more
SHORELAND RESTORATION
Five You Tube videos recommended by Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation Service........more
They show specific elements of shoreland restoration.
Shoreland restoration is very important for the lake. The restoration of natural vegetation provides a buffer which protects the lake from water running off the adjacent shoreland. This water carries fine particles of soil which cover and destroy the proper bottom surface that fish eggs need. In addition the soil carries in phosphorus which promotes lake-clogging algae. Not to mention rain water carrying fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides, and driveway run-off with gas, oil, antifreeze, and more. Plus, quite a few animals like to be near the water, just as you do.
April 25, 2013 Finally a sign of Spring, walleye stripping starts on Pine River, just above its entrance to Whitefish lake.....CLICK HERE
MN DNR Fisheries Area Supervisor, Marc Bacigalupi, left, helps to clear debris off metal screens on April 28, 2013.
The screens used to direct fish at the stripping station became plugged by debris when there was an overnight increase in the flow of the Pine River as the snowpack melted.
WAPOA eNewsletter--Winter CLICK HERE
UNFORTUNATE NEWS ONCE AGAIN
2013 Minnesota DNR finds larval zebra mussels in Lake Winnibigoshish
Fourth largest lake in state, 58,000 acres. Will be classified as infected, bait restrictions eyed. Has invasive faucet snail. Major setback to control efforts. It flows into Mississippi. CLICK HERE
"Winnie" is 44 miles north of Whitefish.
WAPOA April 26, 2013 Board Meeting
Ice is still covering area lakes but making final plans for the busy summer season won't wait.
WAPOA President Dave Fischer makes a point at the April Board Meeting.
Meetings are usually held at the Ideal Community Center.
Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District has funds and technical help for owners of forest land for forest projects that help the adjacent fishery by improving water quality.
LAKE VOLUNTEERS WIN AWARD
Volunteers win prestigious 2012 Lake Friendly Award CLICK HERE
Awarded October 25, 2012 by Phil Hunsicker of Envision Minnesota on behalf of state and county agencies and local groups interested in preserving the health of our lakes.
CHECK DOCKS, WATER EQUIPMENT FOR ZEBRA MUSSELS
Shoreland owners should check their boat lifts for adult zebra mussels, which are yellowish-tan and brown striped, and range in size from one-eighth inch to about one inch long.
People who find something they suspect is a zebra mussel, faucet snail or other aquatic invasive species should take a picture of it, keep a specimen, and report it to the nearest DNR invasive species specialist. A listing of specialists is available on the DNR’s website. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/contacts.html
ZEBRA MUSSELS ON BOAT, LIFT? YOU NEED A PERMIT TO TAKE THEM ON ROAD
2013 Shoreland Owners: If you have invasive species actually on your boat, lift, trailer, or other equipment a new DNR permit required if transporting on a public road CLICK HERE
May 2013
WAPOA's Invasive Species inspection Report for the Whitefish Chain
photo credit: Alison Fox, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
WAPOA-sponsored professional inspections (August 2012) in the Whitefish Chain did not find any evidence of the invasive species: Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels.
The 14 lakes of the Whitefish Chain, like other area lakes, are at risk for the introduction of invasive species.
Unfortunately, Eurasian watermilfoil and/or the zebra mussel are currently found in the following area lakes: Gull, Pelican, Kimble, Ossawinnamakee, Mille Lacs, Bay, Leech, and Winnibigoshish.
In an effort to prevent the spread of invasive species, WAPOA continues an aggressive program of public education and paid and volunteer watercraft inspectors at boat accesses.
In addition, WAPOA pays for inspections of over 30 one-acre water areas surrounding high risk boat accesses.
If an inspection would find an early infection with Eurasian watermilfoil we would aggressively treat the initial infested area if advised and permitted to do so by the DNR.
Do we have zebra mussels in the Whitefish Chain?
As of May 2013 there have not been any reports of zebra mussels in the Whitefish Chain.
WAPOA's 2013 Water Quality Report for the Whitefish Chain
Note: a lower TSI number means better water quality.
The latest 5 year water quality results can be shown with a map. CLICK HERE
If you can resist the map for a minute, it might be helpful to read below.
This MN PCA photo shows the use of a Secchi disc which provides 1/3 of the TSI water quality score.
WAPOA volunteers regularly use this disc to measure water clarity and they also take water samples which are sent for laboratory testing.
These measurements are combined to give the "TSI" figure.
Important: Remember when you click above to see the water quality map, a lower TSI number means better water quality.
Most everything WAPOA does is related in some manner to maintaining and improving water quality: water testing, lakeshore restoration, educating lakeshore owners to prevent rain water runoff into lake, not using phosphorus fertilizers, shoreline buffer strips, and more.
PELICAN LAKE INFESTED
2012 Zebra mussels discovered in nearby Pelican lake CLICK HERE
A major disappointment for this popular area destination lake
MN DNR divers discovered zebra mussels in Pelican lake (near Brainerd) on July 9, 2012
There is no practical way to eliminate them from the lake. They multiply quickly.
With byssal threads they tightly glue themselves to almost everything including native clams, aquatic vegetation, docks, lifts, water supply intakes, boats, swim rafts, and outboard motors.
Their sharp shells can cut bare feet. They eat the plankton that larval fish need to grow. This interferes with the food chain of larger fish.
The MN DNR recently announced that 20% of boaters are arriving at accesses with some sort of violation that could lead to the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species.
WAPOA urges boaters to "Clean, Drain, and Dry" their boats in order to prevent the spread of invasive species.
The immature form of zebra mussels are invisible and are easily carried in small amounts of water or attached to plant fragments from infected lakes.
WAPOA has obtained several grants from the Minnesota DNR that help provide paid inspectors at the Whitefish Chain accesses.
However, it is not possible to provide continuous inspector coverage at all accesses. Every boater is urged to learn what he or she must do to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Within the last few weeks inspectors working under DNR/WAPOA/CWCounty grants have asked boats not to launch on the Whitefish Chain because they were carrying fragments of vegetation.
DNR LINK WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ZEBRA MUSSELS
An excellent summary of zebra mussel information CLICK HERE
"ACTION STEPS" TO AVOID SPREADING INVASIVE SPECIES CLICK HERE
WAPOA WORKS IN MULTIPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE WATER
A note to our website visitors, notice that everything we do is somehow related to improving the water quality of our lakes.
- Testing water on over 30 lakes lets us see trends in water quality.
- Restoring lakeshore with native plants keeps phosphorus and sediment out of the water. Less algae, more fish
- Working with upstream farmers as we look at all sources of water flowing into the lake; so the Harvest Dinner
- Inspecting boats for invasive species in order to keep the natural balance of the lakes.
- Working for shoreline policies that permit only shoreline uses and activities that result in clean water.
- Maintaining focus on the two most important issues: water quality and invasive species
Current News Items and Hot Topics
August 5, 2012 Explosive growth of Mille Lacs zebra mussels: Picture yourself as a DNR biologist trying to determine if there has been an increase in zebra mussels in Mille Lacs. You count the zebra mussels in one square foot of lake bottom. Then compare that count to a previous count. How many did you find in the square foot in the most recent count? 7 or 70 or 700? Not enough! Try 7,700 zebra mussels per square foot on the bottom of Mille Lacs ......more
DNR aggressively takes invasive species fight to new level
Enforcement rather than warnings for 2012
- fines and citations for traveling on highway with vegetation, zebra mussels, drain plug in, bait with water from previous lake
- mandatory road checks trailered boats diverted to roadside check area for inspection by enforcement officer
- 150 more access inspectors
- mandatory training, tests, certification for lake service providers
→All information above covered in a "must read" Star Tribune article.......
HOW WAPOA IS FIGHTING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
a quick overview of WAPOA activities.....
WHAT CAN I DO?
Do I have any responsibility for invasive species?
Ten things you can do to prevent invasive species CLICK HERE
Score yourself, do you know at least 7 of these 10 action steps?
NEW LAW: TEST/CERTIFICATION OF DOCK INSTALLERS
2013 Lake Service Provider Class Schedule CLICK HERE
Lakeshore owners: dock installers and other waterfront workers are required to take this class and pass a test to be certified. They must have in their possession evidence of having passed the test.
Permitted Lake Service Providers list CLICK HERE
Is your dock installer on this list? Most recent DNR list HERE
DEALING WITH ZEBRA MUSSELS
VIDEO OF THE WEEK: The "right" way to clean a personal watercraft CLICK HERE
Current list of lakes designated as infested by the DNR CLICK HERE
]
New Risk: Buy used waterfront equipment, get zebra mussels as part of bargain. Used equipment must be kept out of the water for 21 days before being moved to another lake.
From the MN DNR:
"Boat lifts, docks, swim rafts and other water-related equipment (except boats and other watercraft) that are removed from any water body may not be placed in another water body for at least 21 days.
The drying out period is designed to kill any AIS that might be attached to the equipment that are high risk and difficult to clean. Two zebra mussel introductions occurred last year as a result of water equipment being sold and moved from one water body to another."
We have heard MN DNR Invasive species experts say that there is great danger of introducing invasive species into another lake when boat lifts, swim rafts, used docks, and other similar equipment is moved from one lake to another.
ZEBRA MUSSEL RESEARCH
Research scientist speaks at WAPOA meeting held September 13, 2011 -- Zebra Mussel Control Research--- 100 chairs set up, more added as audience extends into next room CLICK HERE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECENT AWARDS
Award for Jack and Judy Wallschlaeger, WAPOA volunteers CLICK HERE
WAPOA members and projects among those included in this regional recognition. Most fifth paragraph projects are WAPOA related more.....
Davidges win construction award CLICK HERE
HABITAT IMPROVEMENT
September 27, 2011 Project to improve walleye spawning on the Whitefish Chain
DNR and WAPOA work on Hay Creek walleye habitat
35,000 pounds of rocks? CLICK HERE
2012 Profile of Ed Egan, a WAPOA director at the time of the above restoration CLICK HERE
ENFORCEMENT and INVESTIGATION
Aug 30, 2011 DNR cites boater at Lower Hay access for milfoil transport CLICK HERE
Aug 19, 2011 Investigation of milfoil scare on Rush Lake CLICK HERE
March 3, 2012 Conviction for zebra mussel introduction CLICK HERE
2012 Zebra mussels on cart in pickup truck in Two Harbors leads to citation CLICK HERE
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AT THE ACCESS
MN DNR PHOTO
Aug 10, 2011 NEW DNR boat washers at "invaded" lakes-You Tube VIDEO SEE IT HERE
July 1, 2011 WAPOA/County access inspectors in the news CLICK HERE
May 25, 2011 WAPOA's invasive species efforts, article by WAPOA's Marv Erdman CLICK HERE
May 30, 2011 New invasive species law--draining bait buckets CLICK HERE
June 1, 2011 MN DNR summary of new invasive species laws CLICK HERE
SHORELINE RESTORATION
Restore your shoreline, the benefit is better lake water. Imagine colorful flowers and plants beautifying your lakeshore.
You can do it! CLICK HERE
Restore Your Shore is a powerful multimedia program for shoreland owners and professionals to use in implementing shoreland restoration and protection projects.">
Photo courtesy Minnesota DNR
5 Winners in WAPOA's 2012 Shoreline Restoration Contest CLICK HERE
10 tips for improving your shoreline CLICK HERE
ROLLIE ISLAND RESTORATION
Restoration CLICK HERE
Fixing this eroding sand bank will improve water quality and the fishery.
This was all bare eroding sand before.
Photo taken about 8 weeks after planting.
GULL LAKE INFECTED
Invasive zebra mussels in nearby Gull Lake
Nature's glue machines, they stick to everything
Found by trained waterfront installer
No practical method to eliminate from lake
DNR inspection highlights new reality CLICK HERE
photo Amy Benson, USGS, Bugwood.org
Maps Maps Maps2012 Invasive plant survey sites map.
A map of where WAPOA will look in 2012 for invasive plants. Looking before they become entrenched. Who knew they checked so many places? CLICK HERE
New 2013 water quality map. WAPOA measures water quality on many area lakes. See how your lake is doing. CLICK HERE
Where does the MN DNR stock fish on the chain?
Map by DNR Fisheries Specialist Owen Baird shows location and amount CLICK HERE
maps will be updated in May 2013 when latest data becomes available
LOSING OUR LAKES
A "MUST READ" A gem of reporting
”Losing Our Lakes" a three part series from the Star Tribune. This must-read series includes thought provoking observations from (now retired) DNR Conservation Officer Cary Shoutz. Additional county and citizen comments. CLICK HERE
RAISING MONEY FOR WALLEYE HABITAT
Run for the Walleye July 7, 2012 fun family run/walk, raises money for walleye habitat, electronic chip timing on a certified course, event photos CLICK HERE
Run for the Walleye 2013 Registration Information CLICK HERE
BIOLOGIST SPEAKER AT 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Darby Nelson, a biologist, was the dynamic speaker at WAPOA's Annual Membership Meeting held on June 9, 2012.
Below, topics covered in the recent past
- Harvest Dinner August 18, 2012---Working for better water
- Spring is here, fish-stripping starts on Whitefish April 11, 2012 ARTICLE VIDEO CLICK HERE
- DNR/WAPOA create walleye spawning bed in Hay creek March 20, 2012 CLICK HERE
- 2012 Land and Water Summer Tour--July 16, 2012 CLICK HERE
Firewood placed on islands for summer campers February 2012 CLICK HERE
Men fall through ice, rescued by Hovercraft December 2011 CLICK HERE
- WAPOA Fall 2011 Invasive Species Report CLICK HERE
WAPOA Annual Planning meeting November 2011 CLICK HERE
Minnesota Supreme Court toughens variance standard CLICK HERE
Third Annual Harvest Dinner August 27, 2011 CLICK HERE
WAPOA Shoreline Restoration Contest winners CLICK HERE
WAPOA educating boaters at Antique Boat show CLICK HERE
$105,000 Grant Awarded to PRWA. WAPOA is helping sponsor this valuable water quality project CLICK HERE
Not a secret, but little known to most, how does WAPOA raise funds for big conservation projects? CLICK HERE
Lakes pressured by increasing population, help from land-use ordinances CLICK HERE
Brainerd Dispatch on new land use ordinance March 23, 2011 CLICK HERE
WAPOA President Dave Fischer on new land use ordinance CLICK HERE
- WAPOA Awarded state wide conservation awardCLICK HERE
Bill Hudson of WCCO-TV at WAPOA April 2011 Board meeting to do story about DNR fish stocking. Ed Egan of WAPOA is in close contact with these activities.
WAPOA Mission Statement
Stewardship of the natural world throughout the Whitefish Area and the Pine River Watershed is the mission of Whitefish Area Property Owners Association.
The Association shall lead and work with citizens, groups, associations, and government units to conserve and improve the quality of our waters, shoreland, fishery, wildlife resources, and general welfare for the benefit of present and future generations.
WAPOA
2007 Minnesota Lake Association of the Year