Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Perch are common to Lake Metonga. Panfish, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike are also present. Follow the link below for complete fishing regulations on Lake Metonga.

Note: WDNR Regulation NR20.20 prohibits underwater spearfishing in Forest County waters including Lake Metonga. It is illegal to take fish using spears and spear guns by skin or scuba diving.

For specific fishing and boating information from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, please click the links below:

• Local Boating Ordinances
• Fish Consumption Advisories
• Fishing Regulations

 

10-Year Lake Management Plan Finalized

Over the past several years, the Lake Metonga Association in cooperation with their lake management consultant, Onterra, LLC, and the DNR, the Association undertook a comprehensive survey of Lake Metonga shareholders' interest and concerns. With the resulting survey data, and extensive other input resources provided by Onterra and the DNR, an overview of the finalized 10-Year Lake Management Plan for Lake Metonga was presented at a public forum on May 8th.

Lake Metonga Management Plan March 2021

The management plan provides comprehensive information on lake water quality, watershed issues, shore land conditions, aquatic plants, invasive species, fisheries data, as well as an thorough outline of the association's strategies and initiatives to address problems facing the lake and support best practices conservation and control strategies as necessary.

 

Intensive Bullhead Removal Program
Enters Third Season for 2023

Lake Metonga Friends and Property Owners

We are back at it because there are still too many bullheads. This will be our 3^rd year collecting bullheads. Remember, you can collect the eggs, the minnows, and the full-grown bullheads.

Many of the past collectors will collect their catch, freeze them in a Ziploc bag, and bring them to the collection site on collection days, which also provides the added convenience of volunteers logging your catch data for you and disposing it.

Collection data is a critical part of this program so if you prefer to dispose of your “catch” in lieu of the dropping off at the collection site, we have placed a downloadable log sheet for your convenience on our website under “bullhead removal” which you can complete and send to the postal or email address below.

Mole Lake Fisheries will be/have been out electroshocking to collect as many of the adult bullheads before the bullrush get too tall. We, the Lake Metonga Fisheries Committee, hope that additional volunteers will come on board to collect the bullhead minnows this summer.

Like previous years, the DNR requires using the Volunteer Agreement Form (below).

Also below are the directions depending on your choice to email (preferred) OR mail the form. The pier collection program will start on Saturday July 8^th and run every Saturday through early August. Again, we will be handing out Palubicki’s Eat and Treats and Yeti’s certificates to collectors on collection days. 

Thanks for participating!

2023 Volunteer Agreement Form

DIRECTIONS for the Volunteer Agreement Form

If sending form by MAIL (United States Postal Service):

1. Complete all applicable spaces in top 4 lines of the Volunteer Agreement Form
2. Sign and date at bottom of form
3. Mail completed form to: Grant Reed 6670 Wintergreen Trail Sobieski WI 54171
4. When we receive your form, the Bullhead Removal Project Volunteer Letter (from the DNR) and a copy of your Volunteer Agreement Form will be mailed back to you. SAVE THESE FORMS!
5. If questioned by a conservation officer, game warden, etc. you must show the Volunteer Agreement Form AND the Bullhead Removal Volunteer Letter.

If sending form ELECTRONICALLY (email):

1. Complete all applicable spaces in top 4 lines of the Volunteer Agreement Form
2. Sign and date at bottom of form
3. Take a picture or scan completed form to gmreedi@gmail.com
4. KEEP original form!
5. When we receive your form, the Bullhead Removal Project Volunteer Letter (from the DNR) will be emailed to you. SAVE THESE FORMS!
6. If questioned by a conservation officer, game warden, etc. you must show the Volunteer Agreement Form AND the Bullhead Removal Volunteer Letter.

Bullheads in Lake Metonga: Why they are Public Enemy #1 for Now

Why the Need: The overabundance of black bullheads that thrive in Lake Metonga has a negative effect on the walleye and perch populations. When the stomach contents of bullheads have been examined, they are full of small perch, bass, walleye, and crayfish. Bullheads also invade the nests of game fish and consume the eggs. 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.

Since 2008, the Lake Metonga Association has worked with the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community's Mike Preul (Mole Lake Fisheries Biologist) and Greg Matzke (DNR Fisheries Biologist – Forest and Florence Counties) in an effort to decrease the number of bullheads in the lake.

Partnering with the Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community, the Association sponsors an annual bullhead harvest conducted under the supervision of Mike Preul. This harvest of several tons of bullheads is typically donated to the Raptors Educational Group, Inc. in Antigo to feed the bald eagles and other birds being cared for at their facility.

Want to learn more about bullheads impact on walleye population in Lake Metonga? Watch the first fifteen minutes of this Greg Matzke presentation on Lake Metonga and the next ten minutes about the Patten Lake Project to get a clear understanding of why the LMA Bullhead Removal Project is so important: The Fight to Maintain Quality Walleye Fisheries

Continuing the Status Quo is No Longer Enough: The recent diminishment of Rusty Crayfish population is the latest canary in the coal mine indicator that the bullhead population is getting out of control. Additional measures are going to be required, additional measures that necessitate that lake shore owners and lake users step up and and help out.

 

Crayfish Trapping on Metonga

Rusty crayfish traps have become more and more common in recent years on the lake. Please review the DNR regulations brochure (shown at right) for complete rules and regulations. Main points include:

1. Must possess a valid fishing license or small game license, except persons under the age of 16 (who do not need a license).
2. The entrance of the crayfish trap cannot exceed 2-1/2 inches at the greatest diagonal measurement.
3. Traps must bear the name and address of the owner and must be raised and emptied at least once each day following the day set.
4. Parts of fish and fish by-products including fish meal or prepared parts of such fish may not be used for bait unless: the fish were caught from the water being trapped, are minnows obtained from a bait dealer, or are used with written authorization from the WDNR. Other meats (e.g., chicken and beef livers) may be used for bait for crayfish.
5. Floats or markers used to locate traps 1) may not exceed 5 inches in size, 2) may not extend more than 4 inches above the water surface, 3) must clearly display the name and address (in English) of the owner/operator, and 4) must not be orange or any other fluorescent color.