We were just informed of some very, very important and potentially negative news. I have cut and pasted the two emails that were just sent out. As there are several people in our area who fish both Big Mckenzie and our lake, this is extremely important that we keep aware of what is going on currently.
Email #1
Hi Everyone.Email #2
Wanted to pass along, if you haven't heard yet....There were 3 zebra mussels found in Big Mckenzie Lake last week.
The DNR and Lake Association are working on the "next steps". Please see the last email below from Pamela Toshner.
Feel free to forward and spread the word. Keep in mind the people below have also been notified, via email from the president of the Washburn Co Lakes and Rivers Assn.
Sad news for our NW lakes.
Lisa Burns-Conservation Coordinator
Washburn Co Land and Water Conservation Dept
Shell Lake, WI
A property owner observed and DNR verified the presence of adult attached zebra mussels in Big McKenzie Lake, Burnett and Washburn Counties, this week. The timing for additional professional monitoring is not ideal so the lake group is putting the word out to check docks and other equipment. FYI on the status and next steps below.
Discussion points and follow-ups from our conversation include:
1. McKenzie Lakes Association will request property owners check their docks, boats, and other equipment as they remove it. Here is a tracking form folks can use: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/UWEXLakes/Documents/programs/ CLMN/forms/3200-126- animalincident.pdf. It’s important to record both locations where zebra mussels are found, as well as those where they are not found. This form could you be used for tracking locations where there were no zebra mussels http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/ UWEXLakes/Documents/programs/ CLMN/forms/3200-130- presenceabsence- multiplelocations.pdf, although a list of addresses or locations marked on a lake map would also suffice. Kris can talk you or other folks through the forms, if necessary.
2. DNR and other partners like Burnett and Washburn Counties and the lake association will do additional monitoring in 2017 when water temperatures are more conducive to zebra mussel reproduction.
3. Washburn County (Lisa Burns) will be posting improved signage at the landings.
4. There is grant funding available to complete watercraft inspections – both at public and private boat landings, educate folks, construct boat cleaning stations and kiosks, and more. The next grant deadline is December 10th, and we are happy to guide the lake group should you be interested in applying for grant funding. http://dnr.wi.gov/aid/surfacewater.html
5. The lake association would like a DNR speaker/expert to join them at their annual meeting Memorial Day weekend 2017. We can follow up on this and are certainly available to meet sooner with a smaller group, as well.
6. DNR will probably coordinate a press release to share the news of the recent discovery and remind local communities to be on the lookout for zebra mussels (and other AIS) this time of year and use clean boater hygiene. Unfortunately, this appears to be the first zebra mussel population in an inland lake in northwest Wisconsin, and historic populations elsewhere indicate downstream spread (i.e. to other lakes, the Namakagon and St. Croix) may be likely over the course of years.
7. There is no known effective zebra mussel control method at this time.
We sure appreciate your interest and support in getting word out. I’d suggest sharing the laws and steps related to preventing the spread of AIS, as well: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/boat.html.
AIS Specialist Kris Larsen is available should you have questions, and you are also welcome to contact me, especially if you are interested in grant funding.
We are committed to service excellence.
Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/customersurvey to evaluate how I did.
Pamela Toshner
Lake Biologist – Water Quality Bureau/Water Division
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
810 West Maple Street
Spooner WI 54801
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