This year, in early June, we treated 48 acres of EWM. In 2010 39.5 acres were treated and in 2009,
81.1 acres of EWM were treated.
Acres treated are based on mapping done by our consultant Onterra.
We have been able to secure some grant funds to offset some of the treatment costs. However, the
association still needs to fund 35% of the total costs. Our only source of income is through
memberships, donations and fund raisers, please consider helping us control this rapidly spreading
invasive. Without proper treatment, EWM will make boating and recreation on our beautiful lake
challenging.
2011 Treatment Sites & Map, click here
81.1 acres of EWM were treated.
Acres treated are based on mapping done by our consultant Onterra.
We have been able to secure some grant funds to offset some of the treatment costs. However, the
association still needs to fund 35% of the total costs. Our only source of income is through
memberships, donations and fund raisers, please consider helping us control this rapidly spreading
invasive. Without proper treatment, EWM will make boating and recreation on our beautiful lake
challenging.
2011 Treatment Sites & Map, click here
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Water Quality
| Lake Metonga Association |
Thanks to Dave & Sylvia Patzlaff for their service to monitoring the lake's water
quality. Starting in 2010, Grant & Kim Reed will be doing the monitoring. Several
times throughout the summer, they study the lake's water clarity and chemistry. The
testing is done in the deep hole, in front of the Metonga Lakeside Resort. Water
clarity in our lake seems to be increasing. This is most likely the result of the Zebra
Mussels in the lake filtering out plankton which is needed for other native species to
survive. The data collected for water quality is posted through the Citizens Lake
Monitoring Network, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Readings for 2010 can be viewed here.
quality. Starting in 2010, Grant & Kim Reed will be doing the monitoring. Several
times throughout the summer, they study the lake's water clarity and chemistry. The
testing is done in the deep hole, in front of the Metonga Lakeside Resort. Water
clarity in our lake seems to be increasing. This is most likely the result of the Zebra
Mussels in the lake filtering out plankton which is needed for other native species to
survive. The data collected for water quality is posted through the Citizens Lake
Monitoring Network, sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Readings for 2010 can be viewed here.
It appears that there is no increase in zebra mussel density. Five collection
platforms are set out around the lake and the Mole Lake Fishery Biologist, Mike Preul
is monitoring the calcium levels in the lake, densities and color changes in the shells
of the mussels. We know that the mussels have a 2 to 3 year cycle, but overall lake
impacts are still unknown.
platforms are set out around the lake and the Mole Lake Fishery Biologist, Mike Preul
is monitoring the calcium levels in the lake, densities and color changes in the shells
of the mussels. We know that the mussels have a 2 to 3 year cycle, but overall lake
impacts are still unknown.
Website/ Contact Email:
LakeMetongaWI@gmail.com
LakeMetongaWI@gmail.com
Please feel free to share your thoughts,
comments, photos & website suggestions!!
comments, photos & website suggestions!!
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Unfortunately, Lake Metonga is the home to several Aquatic Invasive Species.
These invasives were introduced into the lake through recreational users. Several other species have
already been found in Wisconsin, but not in Lake Metonga. Therefore, it is important to follow the
Clean Boats/ Clean Waters Initiative to protect all lakes.
These invasives were introduced into the lake through recreational users. Several other species have
already been found in Wisconsin, but not in Lake Metonga. Therefore, it is important to follow the
Clean Boats/ Clean Waters Initiative to protect all lakes.
Rusty Crayfish have been in the lake since the 1970's. Although many people have
enjoyed trapping and eating the crayfish for many years, they are an invasive species.
The crayfish compete for food with native species, as they eat fish eggs, aquatic
insects, and also negatively effect aquatic vegetation. The crayfish nearly decimated
the native plant population throughout the 1970's and 1980's.
enjoyed trapping and eating the crayfish for many years, they are an invasive species.
The crayfish compete for food with native species, as they eat fish eggs, aquatic
insects, and also negatively effect aquatic vegetation. The crayfish nearly decimated
the native plant population throughout the 1970's and 1980's.
| Helpful Links & Resources: |
Lake Fishery Information, Provided by Michael Preul, Fisheries Biologist
| CAUTION- No person may operate a personal watercraft (boat or jet ski) at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake within 100 feet of any other personal watercraft, pier, dock or protected area, OR within 200 feet of the shoreline of any lake. Violators are subject to fines. PUBL-LE-301 2008 For more information, click here |
| Signboard at our boat landings |
| For more information on Clean Boats Clean Waters, please click the icon above to be directed to the website. |
| IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE OR NEED TO REPORT A VIOLATION CONTACT: Brad Dahlquist, DNR Warden 715-478-5610 Steve Ashbeck, Recreation Officer 715-889-1102 cell Or the sheriff’s department 715-478-3331 |
Submitted by Les Schramm
Lake Metonga Association partnered with the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe, under the supervision of their Fishery Biologist, Mike
Preul, to harvest an over-abundance of bullheads that thrive in Metonga waters. This assessment was the result of fyke-netting and
electro-shocking surveys done by the Biologist and his staff. The harvest began in May of 2008 and has continued in June of 2009. Fyke
nets were initially set, however, the bullheads weren't moving into the shallow water so very few were captured in the nets. The decision
was then made to do electro-shocking. In May and June of 2008, Mike Preul and his staff spent nearly 40 hours electro-shocking and
harvesting the bullheads. The captured fish were placed in holding nets and were later distributed to the local community residents,
Raptors Educational Group, Inc. in Antigo and Lake Metonga Association members filleted and provided 250 pounds of fillets to NEWCAP,
the local food pantry in Crandon. A total of 12,000 pounds (6 tons) of bullheads were harvested during the period in 2008. Each bullhead
weighed approximately one pound; therefore, it is estimated that 11,000 fish were removed from Metonga’s waters. A decision was made
to continue the harvest in 2009. Due to the cold weather this spring season, the bullheads weren't moving into the shallow water,
therefore, electro-shocking was delayed until the second week of June. So far, 2,500 bullheads have been captured and the Fishery
Biologist has set a goal to harvest a total of 5,000.
Has this concentrated number of bullheads affected the Lake’s fishery? Yes, when the stomach contents of bullheads were examined, they
were full of small perch, bass, walleye, and crayfish. The bullheads invade the nests of the game fish and consume the eggs. The juvenile
bullheads feed on the common invertebrates, midges, worms, copepods, etc., which are also the food source for juvenile perch, bass and
other game fish.
FISH ALERT If you are fishing in Lake Metonga from a boat or dock and you catch a bullhead and chose not to keep it for eating, don’t
throw it back into the water. Dispose of it in the trash or bury it on land. Also, if you see schools of young bullheads, try to net as many
as possible and also discard in the trash or bury them.
Lake Metonga Association partnered with the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe, under the supervision of their Fishery Biologist, Mike
Preul, to harvest an over-abundance of bullheads that thrive in Metonga waters. This assessment was the result of fyke-netting and
electro-shocking surveys done by the Biologist and his staff. The harvest began in May of 2008 and has continued in June of 2009. Fyke
nets were initially set, however, the bullheads weren't moving into the shallow water so very few were captured in the nets. The decision
was then made to do electro-shocking. In May and June of 2008, Mike Preul and his staff spent nearly 40 hours electro-shocking and
harvesting the bullheads. The captured fish were placed in holding nets and were later distributed to the local community residents,
Raptors Educational Group, Inc. in Antigo and Lake Metonga Association members filleted and provided 250 pounds of fillets to NEWCAP,
the local food pantry in Crandon. A total of 12,000 pounds (6 tons) of bullheads were harvested during the period in 2008. Each bullhead
weighed approximately one pound; therefore, it is estimated that 11,000 fish were removed from Metonga’s waters. A decision was made
to continue the harvest in 2009. Due to the cold weather this spring season, the bullheads weren't moving into the shallow water,
therefore, electro-shocking was delayed until the second week of June. So far, 2,500 bullheads have been captured and the Fishery
Biologist has set a goal to harvest a total of 5,000.
Has this concentrated number of bullheads affected the Lake’s fishery? Yes, when the stomach contents of bullheads were examined, they
were full of small perch, bass, walleye, and crayfish. The bullheads invade the nests of the game fish and consume the eggs. The juvenile
bullheads feed on the common invertebrates, midges, worms, copepods, etc., which are also the food source for juvenile perch, bass and
other game fish.
FISH ALERT If you are fishing in Lake Metonga from a boat or dock and you catch a bullhead and chose not to keep it for eating, don’t
throw it back into the water. Dispose of it in the trash or bury it on land. Also, if you see schools of young bullheads, try to net as many
as possible and also discard in the trash or bury them.
Thank You to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
Wisconsin Association of Lakes, UW-Extension Lakes, Forest County
Association of Lakes and to several Lake Metonga Association Members
for photos, articles, links and updates for this website.
Wisconsin Association of Lakes, UW-Extension Lakes, Forest County
Association of Lakes and to several Lake Metonga Association Members
for photos, articles, links and updates for this website.