Lake Views (LBPIA Newsletter), current issue: Fall 2009
(note: please see our LBPIA Area Chair Network link on this web site for the most up information on the Area Chair for your property)

Archived Issues (PDF format):

Spring 2009
Fall 2008
Fall 2007
Spring, 2007
Fall, 2006
Spring, 2006
Fall, 2005
Spring 2005
Fall, 2004
Spring, 2004

For a print copy of the latest Lake Views contact: Editor, LBPIA, P.O. box 153, East Troy, WI 53120

Kettle Moraine Land Trust, LTD. (9/09)
The Village of East Troy’ Smart Growth plan and Well #7 have significant implications for large portions of the lake and its environs. One way to preserve our precious resources is through conservation easements and land trusts. To learn more about these options, please visit the Kettle Moraine Land Trust at www.kmlandtrust.org.

LBPIA needs your help (9/09)
The LBPIA has incurred significant legal expenditures this year. Membership dues and private donations are the only way we have to raise funds for continuing to fight the Well #7 issue. Please consider making a contribution to assist us in these efforts.

Fish Stocking (9/09)
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was unable to stock Lake Beulah this year. Once again, the LBPIA and Triangle Sportsman’s Club have partnered to stock the lake with 1,290 walleye fingerlings. Gollon Bait and Fish Farm will be delivering them in the coming weeks. The fingerlings will be approximately 5 to 8 inches long upon release. Happy fishing…in a couple of years.

Lake Tides - The newsletter for people interested in Wisconsin Lakes
A quarterly publication of the University of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes Program - part of the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership

Wisconsin Association of Lakes e-Lake Letter - Take advantage of this free service and have information on key lake issues, legislative activity affecting lakes, and upcoming lake events delivered to your e-mail inbox.

Dear Wisconsin conservationists, anglers, boaters and lake stewards:

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, or VHS, was found last weekend in Little Lake Butte des Morts in Winnebago County. We have subsequently had seven samples from Lake Winnebago test positive for the disease. VHS is a serious threat to our fisheries and to Wisconsin’s $2.3 billion fishing industry. Although we’ve been preparing for its discovery here for some time, we’ve had to act swiftly and comprehensively this week to curb any possible spread to other inland waters.

At the state level, we are in the process of developing monitoring procedures to track VHS. We’ve suspended all stocking of fish, transfers of fish among hatcheries or water bodies, and collections of forage fish or eggs from the wild. In addition, I have appointed a VHS response team to compile information and develop recommendations as we move forward.

This week, the Natural Resources Board also extended an April emergency rule aimed at preventing the spread of VHS to include Lake Winnebago. It prohibits anglers and boaters on that water system -- as well as the Great Lakes and Mississippi River -- from moving live fish from the lake and requiring the drainage of boats and livewells before leaving the landing. I commend the NRB’s swift action. We don’t want anglers and boaters to accidentally spread the disease to any additional inland waters.

It’s important for you to know, however, that VHS doesn’t affect people – you can still keep and eat the fish you catch – but it can kill a broad range of game fish. We need to work together to stop the spread of this disease. It is difficult to say exactly what impact VHS will have on our fishery or how many species it might affect in Wisconsin. However, experience in other states indicates that fisheries can and have bounced back. We are still going to have a lot of fish in our lakes and rivers for anglers to catch and enjoy.

Some of the emergency restrictions put in place may cause an inconvenience, but there’s a lot at stake here. Wisconsin’s public is the first and last lines of defense against this disease, and without help, we cannot fight VHS. Where ever in Wisconsin you are enjoying one of our 15,000 lakes, you can help slow the spread by practicing the following precautions:

# Do not move water or live fish from one water body to another. Drain the bilge, bait bucket and live well at the landing, dispose of minnows in the trash and put your catch on ice at the landing.
# Clean plants and other debris from your boat before leaving the landing; and
# Buy minnows from a registered Wisconsin dealer or catch the minnows you use from the same water you plan to fish.

Wisconsin’s natural resources belong to all of us, and we all have a stake in protecting them. I’ve attached some links to more information about VHS. My sincere thanks for your help in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Scott Hassett, Secretary
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

VHS information on DNR’s website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs.html

Frequently asked questions about VHS:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_prevent.html

What is being done to slow the spread:
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pages/vhs_questions.html

Environmental Education Links

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Shoreland Rule Revision Website: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/news.htm

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster St. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
phone: (608) 266-0161
fax:(608) 267-2800
e-mail: toni.herkert@wisconsin.gov

Please visit the Shoreland Restoration Project located on the Lake Management land on Highway J in front of the DD Tavern (on the Mill Lake section of Lake Beulah).

Fifty feet of shoreline were planted with an average depth of 7 feet. A variety of native plants with about 20 different species were planted.

This project was funded by the LBPIA under the guidance of Audrey Greene from Walworth County. Planters: Marge Harvey, Patti Nolan, Tiger Bienstadt and Frank Rappold. Jim Butler and Lynn Carlson for allowed us to use their watering facilities.

A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Lakefront Investment

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LANDMARK BOOK ON WISCONSIN FISHES IS ONLY A CAST AWAY ONLINE

Becker's approach to documenting both the fish species and the management of fish ecosystems was a model for others; "American Zoologist" magazine called it one of the best books of its kind ever written.

Wisconsin's Water Library, the University of Wisconsin Press, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Digital Collections collaborated to digitize the book and make it freely available online:
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/EcoNatRes.FishesWI

Wisconsin Wetlands Association

A Practical Guide to Restoring Shoreland Habitats

Walworth County Land Conservancy

UW Extension Lakes Program

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The Natural Areas Association

Treehaven

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids!
Brought to you by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This electronic magazine is for kids in grades 4-8. Surf around and learn more about the great outdoors.

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