State of the Lakes, by BIWBLA President Joe Heitz

As I write this sitting at our dock, I marvel at how lucky we are be part of such an incredibly beautiful chain of lakes. Our water quality and clarity are exceptional. We continue to have no evidence of significant aquatic invasive species. That being said, we all need to be diligent in how we use and monitor our special lakes. It is imperative that we keep up to date on what is going on in the lakes around us in order to minimize the likelihood of introducing an invasive species. As a member of the Town of Plum Lake Lakes Committee, I’d like to update you on what has been happening through that committee.

During the summer of 2024, the North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC) did “Early Detection Rapid Response Surveys” on the major lakes in the Town of Plum Lake. I’m happy to report that there were no significant findings on our chain. It was however discovered the Plum Lake was found to have a unique milfoil, and after genetic testing, it was determined to be a hybrid of Northern (native) and Eurasian (invasive) water milfoil. This hybrid appears to be unique to Plum Lake. Ongoing assessment will determine what the next steps will be. Both Star and Plum Lakes have invasive spiny waterfleas, as do nearby Stormy and Trout Lakes. Little Star has Eurasian water milfoil. Please keep this in mind if you place any of your watercraft in these lakes as they should be decontaminated or left to dry for at least 5 days. The NLDC will be repeating these surveys on our lakes this month. A separate attachment to the results of the 2025 Town of Plum Lake AIS Lakes and Survey Report will be attached.

The Town of Plum Lake’s ordinance prohibiting enhanced wakes took effect last fall after the posting of signs at all major town landings. Please be sure to let your family and guests know about this important ordinance. There are many towns in the state, including in Vilas County, that have passed similar ordinances. Included is an attachment to the Plum Lake ordinance.

Vilas County will continue to provide a decontamination unit at various nearby boat landings, including Star, Plum, Trout, and Big Muskellunge Lakes. This high pressure/high temperature system is very effective in eliminating spiny waterfleas and invasive zebra and quagga mussels from boats and motors. Last year, Lake Geneva was found to be the first Wisconsin inland lake to be infected with quagga mussels. Quagga mussels can be devastating to freshwater lakes. (cont.) Just google “Lake Michigan and quagga mussels”, and you’ll be surprised what they do to a lake ecosystem. This year, on the request of the North Lakeland Discovery Center, I started monitoring Ballard for invasive mussels by hanging a cement block just above the lake bottom. One thing lakefront property owners can do is check for mussels on the posts of their portable piers when they are removed in the fall. If you find anything unusual, save the specimens in a container of water and contact me.

On a lighter note, the Fish Sticks projects on Laura and Plum Lakes were completed this past winter. The Star Lake project is planned for this coming winter. Coarse woody habitat is critical for fish habitat and spawning. It is ideal to leave (or move, if able) any fallen trees or branches in the water whenever possible.

As always, I hope to see you on the lake!!

Read more from our Summer 2025 newsletter!