There have been some recent updates from what COLA had previously announced about treatment of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the LCO lakes. At the end of this notice, there are suggestions about the best way to stay current on AIS treatment plans and other lake issues.
As stated in our prior communications, COLA revised its Aquatic Plant Management plan in 2021 and followed up with specific AIS treatment plans over the last 12 months. The treatment plans were developed with the help of WDNR and the LCO Tribal Conservation Department, along with other aquatic plant experts and COLA members.
The plans combine use of mechanical and herbicide control. WDNR has reviewed and approved our permits for big LCO, although it did deny a portion of the permit for areas of Ashland Bay and the NW shore of the central basin for protection of critical walleye fisheries. We will continue discussions with WDNR on this issue in June, and we have recently applied for mechanical treatment permits for these areas. WDNR will not allow the use of Procellacor in little LCO in 2023 based on concerns about the herbicide’s effect (as yet unknown) on the wild rice beds in the Billy Boy flowage. It is still unclear whether alternative chemicals will be allowed. An attempt to use all mechanical harvesting in Little LCO is likely beyond the harvester's capacity and less effective than chemical treatment.
COLA has completed treatment of invasive curly-leaf pondweed with Aquathol K herbicide during the week of May 30 in eastern Musky Bay. Herbicide treatments of Anchor Bay, Chicago Bay, Elto Bar, and the western shore of outer Stukey Bay with the herbicide Diquat will occur during the week of June 19th. This treatment should take no more than three days. Effective treatment is weather-dependent, so rescheduling is possible.
We hope to start mechanical harvesting in big LCO very soon. Mechanical harvesting in little LCO has been tentatively scheduled for June 20-23 and will be conducted by the LCO Tribal Conservation Department.
During herbicide treatments, yellow notification signs stating that herbicide treatment is occurring will be placed along the shoreline immediately adjacent to treatment areas. The signs will also list any water use restrictions. Signs will also be placed at public landings. Chemical fact sheets that contain water use restrictions and other information are available here (Diquat, Aquathol-K, Procellacor). More information on COLA’s AIS plan is available on the COLA website and in previous email notifications sent on March 17, 2023 and May 17, 2023 to all on COLA’s contact list.
Lake users are urged to subscribe to COLA email notifications including the newsletter, Short Ears, Long Tales. These notifications provide important updates including treatment plans, maps, and other information. You do not have to be a COLA member partner, just sign up. The most up-to-date information will come directly from COLA. There are several Facebook sites that include comments dealing with issues on the LCO lakes, but rather than rely on miscellaneous and sometimes poorly-informed postings, please rely on information coming directly from COLA. You can always contact COLA directly if you want to talk with someone in person.
Additionally, lake users are urged to use the COLA-wi.org website as a primary source of information about all matters relating to the LCO lakes. The site includes factual data on water quality, lake levels, shoreline restoration/development, invasive aquatic plants, fishery issues, and many other subjects.
Most important - the website provides the ability for users to record lake observations of such things as dead or dying fish, new invasive plant patches, or whatever the user feels important. These observation forms become action items for the COLA volunteers who will investigate and take appropriate action.
Please help COLA protect the LCO lakes by communicating directly with us about matters that affect you. Thanks!
COLA Annual Meeting
8:30 am - 10:30 am
June 24, 2023
St. Francis Solanus Mission
13885 Mission Rd, Stone Lake, WI 54876