Latest Flowering Rush Report

Thank you to the Stearns Coalition of Lake Associations for using their MN DNR New Infestation and Innovative Control Grant to find and treat invasive flowering rush in the Sauk River. Over 62 miles of the Sauk River were surveyed, and flowering rush was present from Juergens Lake to just south of New Munich. Some of the infested areas were treated but more work will need to be done to control it and prevent it from entering the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. Many thanks to all involved including Limnopro, Stearns County Environmental Services, Tigris, and the MN DNR.

Click here to access the full report.

Fall Photo Contest Winners!

Thank you to everyone that took the time to send in their wonderful pictures of the Chain for the "Fall Photo Contest"!
Our board enjoyed all of the images, it was hard narrowing it down to three winners.
Congratulations, Kerry Johnson Bechtold, Malissa Mauricio and Jennifer Dietman! We hope you enjoy your SRCLA apparel!

MN Lakes and Rivers Webinar Recording Now Available

Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR) recently conducted a webinar that focused on efforts to improve the condition of the state's shorelines. Speakers included:

💦 Paul Radomski from the Ecological and Water Resources Division, who shared insights into the scientific tools we’re using to protect shorelines.

💦 Kirsti Marohn from Minnesota Public Radio, who discussed her reporting this summer on the issue of vanishing shorelines.

💦 Sue Henken-Thielen, who shared her experiences as a dedicated Lake Steward.

💦 Steve Corbin, one of our valued shoreline evaluators.

The webinar provides a lot of useful information, including insights into the Lake Steward program, which the SRCLA board sponsors along with many other lake associations around the state.

You can view a recording of the webinar via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4O-7RtHao

MNLR Sept Post

Check out the September posting from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers (MLR)!  It has an update on the research being conducted by the University of MN's St. Anthony Falls Lab (SAFL) on wake dynamics on shorelines and lake beds.  The final report has been delayed until early 2025 to allow late-breaking data to be included, but this month's report has some interesting information about what has been learned so far.

There's also a fascinating article about Bigmouth Buffalo, a native Minnesota species with lifespans that can exceed humans, although there's growing evidence of how few hatchlings reach adulthood, putting the species at risk long-term.

And of course, there's an update on the Lake Steward program, which the SRCLA has been promoting on our Chain for the past three years.

Check out the full post here.

You’re Invited!

Join MNLR to celebrate the incredible work of Lake Stewards and discover how YOU can get involved in preserving water quality from your own yard!

Hear how Lake Stewards are protecting our lakes.

The Lake Steward Webinar will include firsthand stories from passionate Lake Steward property owners and shoreline evaluators dedicated to preserving the beauty and health of our lakes. Representatives from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will also share their expertise on vital collaborative efforts to preserve Minnesota’s waterways.

Whether you’re a lakeshore property owner or simply love our environment, this is your chance to learn about the impacts of this exceptional program and gear up for next summer!

Save the date! October 15th, 2024 6:00-7:30pm (CDT)

Let’s celebrate our Lake Stewards together!

Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired and learn how you can help safeguard the stunning lakes that define our beautiful state!

Together, we can protect the beauty of our lakes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the change!

Learn more here: MLR Lake Steward Webinar

Gambling Season Opener!

Our biggest fundraisers start back up next week - all at Shady's Long Shots!

• Horse Racing is on Sundays at 1 starting Oct. 6

• Bingo starts back up on Wednesdays at 6:30 starting Oct 16 (we start selling packs at 6)

• Our Meat Raffle is at 6 on Fridays and that starts up on Oct 18

Check the SRCLA Calendar for more dates!

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 5

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Seeking Feedback: Channel Catfish Regulation

Association members - Do you have feedback regarding the channel catfish regulation on the Chain of Lakes?  

The DNR is seeking comments regarding the review of the current Experimental fishing regulation for channel catfish on the Chain.

 A little history, channel catfish were stocked into Horseshoe and Cedar Island lakes from 1976 – 1988 in an effort to decrease the abundance of bullheads and black crappie with the goal of increasing the growth of black crappie. While abundance of both species decreased, the abundance of channel catfish increased to point that the DNR was receiving complaints regarding their abundance. Starting March 1, 2015, the channel catfish possession limit was increased from five to 10 while allowing one fish > 24” in the possession limit.  

Since 2013, data indicates that the channel catfish population (based on gill net data) has been decreasing from a high of 27.4/net in 2013 to 3.9/net in 2024. However, the average size has increased from 16.6 inches and 1.4 lbs. in 2013 to 21.7 inches and 3.7 lbs. in 2024. Angler surveys conducted between December 2014 and October 2015 indicated that about 50% of all catfish caught were released indicating that harvest is unlikely the cause of the population decrease. DNR ageing data also found that this population is an ageing population with 82% of the population being age-10 or older indicating that these fish are starting to age out of the population.

.Your input is appreciated and can be submitted via engage.DNR.state.mn.us as well as by emailing Area Fisheries Manager Joe Stewig at joe.stewig@state.mn.us. Input will be received through 10/11/2024.  The DNR will make a decision in November with any changes being implemented March 1, 2025.

Lake Level Update

As you know lake levels across the chain have stabilized and are almost to normal high water levels.

You can always view the current status here: https://srcl.org/water-level-horseshoe

Enjoy a safe and relaxing Holiday weekend!

MPR Series On MN Shorelines

Kirsti Mahron, a correspondent for MPR News who covers central Minnesota, has been working on a series of articles and on-air segments focusing on diminishing natural shorelines on upper Midwest lakes and the environmental impact of highly-developed shorelines on water quality. A number of segments have been released, including one that highlights a shoreline project on Great Northern Lake on our very own Chain!  Keep checking this link as MPR will be releasing additional segments in the near future (click here to view).

Shoreland Owner Training for AIS Prevention

Shoreland owners play an integral part in AIS prevention by understanding the risks their watercraft and shoreline equipment like docks, lifts and rafts pose when moving from one waterbody. This training video lays out the best practices each of us can take to mitigate the risks to protect our resources for future generations.

Blue Green Algae reported on the Chain

It's that time of year to watch out for blue green algae on Minnesota lakes! Learn more about blue green algae and how to reduce your risks from harmful algae blooms HERE.

How Well Do you Know Minnesota? Part 4

There are so many water quality issues for which there is no simple solution. But the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species has a simple solution - if everyone thoroughly Cleaned, Drained and Dried their boats and water related equipment after each use, and then inspected it prior to each use in a new water body, AIS would not spread. This is why education is the cornerstone of all efforts to protect our lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species."~Jeff Forester, Executive Director, Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever Hosting event 9/8

The Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever is hosting on September 8th.
Questions? Contact Abi Parker, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Office: 320-352-2231, Direct: 320-527-1051, abigail@srwdmn.org

Be a Hero Transport Zero - Use Decon Stations

Fight the spread of aquatic invaders. Be a hero, transport zero. Use decontamination stations to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Notice of Public Meeting

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The experimental channel catfish regulation currently on the chain as well as Long, North Brown’s, Eden, and Mud/Vail’s lakes will be up for review this fall.    

Channel Catfish: The current Possession limit is 10 of which only one fish over 24" is allowed in possession.  This limit is being considered to decrease back to state possession limit of five.  

Interested parties can make comments on the regulation here FAW Public Input | Engage with DNR | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  or attend the public input meeting which will be held Tuesday September 10 from 6 pm – 7 pm at the Richmond City Hall, 45 Hall Ave SW, Richmond, MN 56368.

Spring assessment results: Joe Stewig, DNR Fisheries Manager

Data and comments from Joe Stewig, DNR Fisheries Manager, for fish counts completed on the Sauk River chain so far this spring and summer.  To view the file with charts click here.

• The main purpose of the spring trapping was to see if any Musky remain in the chain. This is the first time the DNR has ever used large frame trap nets in the SRCL, so we really don’t have anything to compare it to.

• We did measure crappies and sunfish, but with the weather the way it was the larger sunfish had not moved in. It was a cool week, and the fish were not really moving around a great deal during the weeks the traps were in place. Only 3 musky were caught, with sizes from 38-44.5 inches in length!

• While we didn’t measure any catfish, but we did learn that the large frame trapnets are very effective at sampling large catfish! The biggest one we measured was 34-inches and 16 ½ pounds.

• Gill net surveys of the chain were completed July 29 – August 2, with 12 gill nets being set across the East Lakes (Bolfing, Great Northern, Knaus, Krays, Schneider, and Zumwalde-two in each lake). Two gill nets will also be set in Becker Lake. Cedar Island will be surveyed the week of August 12 – 16 (12 gill nets) and Horseshoe will be surveyed the week of August 19 – 23 (9 gill nets). We will use this data to see how the walleye population is doing as well as the catfish.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: The experimental channel catfish regulation currently on the chain as well as Long, North Brown’s, Eden, and Mud/Vail’s lakes will be up for review this fall.

Channel Catfish: The current Possession limit is 10 of which only one fish over 24" is allowed in possession. This limit is being considered to decrease back to state possession limit of five.

Interested parties can make comments on the regulation here (FAW Public Input | Engage with DNR | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or attend the public input meeting which will be held Tuesday September 10 from 6 pm – 7 pm at the Richmond City Hall, 45 Hall Ave SW, Richmond, MN 56368.

Notice of Public Meeting

The Stearns County Park Department is holding a public input meeting regarding the new park south of Cold Spring.

Chain of Lakes County Park is located at 16163 County Road 49, in Cold Spring, MN 56320.

The Park Department is currently working on a management plan for the property and will gather feedback from the public at this meeting.

Topics of discussion will include potential amenities and limited hunting area. The SRCLA letter of support highlighting the Association's interest can be found here.

Here is the official meeting notice:

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/STEARNS-3aa630e

Lakescout Back Online!

You may have noticed that our lake level montioring device, the Lakescout, was offline for a few weeks. The device received a well needed cleaning and was recalibrated. This is the most popular page on our website so we know understanding lake levels is important to you. As of July 30, the device is back online, and we've refrehed the year to date chart as well. Thank you to Steve Weeres, SRCLA Board Member for all that you do for our lakes!

Water Levels on Horseshoe page here.