AIS / Fisheries

Curly Leaf Pondweed Alert!

Curly leaf pondweed, a prolific invasive plant, is present in Island Lake, the mouth of the Manitowish River at Island Lake, in the Spider-Island Channel, Rice Creek where it flows into Island Lake, and in small isolated areas in Spider Lake and Stone Lake. We are very concerned about the movement of this invasive plant into the rest of the lakes in the Manitowish Chain and urge everyone to clean your boats and props. Curly leaf pondweed spreads via hard vegetative buds and fragments of vegetation, so please be careful to prevent the spread. Additionally, please let us know if you see curly leaf pondweed in any locations. It is usually found in waters 6-10 feet with a soft substrate. For more information, please contact: [email protected]

curly_leafAIS/Fisheries
The lakes and rivers in the Township of Manitowish Waters offer many visitors and residents boating opportunities from our five public boat landings. We welcome recreationalists, but also recognize that they present the Chain with a risk of carrying aquatic invasive species (AIS) to our area on their boats from areas already affected. In 2010, curly leaf pondweed was found on Island Lake, and other aquatic invasive species are knocking on our door. AIS are invading the Northwoods waters and the costs of controlling these species are increasing every year.

Volunteers Essential to the Fight Against Aquatic Invasive Species

The Town Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership (TAISP), consisting of the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association (MWLA), the North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC), and the Town of Manitowish Waters (MW) undertook efforts in 2013 to prevent the introduction of and minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area lakes, rivers, and wetlands. The NLDC coordinated the 2013 Aquatic Invasive Species Program with the staffing of Anne Kretschmann and Tim Dobbins with funding provided through WDNR lake management, AIS education, and AIS control grants sponsored by the NLDC and supported by the Towns of MW and Boulder Junction.

Since 2011, the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes was awarded several WDNR grants that will protect and enhance our lakes for generations to come! Through these grants, a consultant, Onterra LLC, is conducting in-depth lake studies to produce lake management plans for the entire chain. All of the grants received depend on a combination of local volunteer hours and cash to match the state portion of the project. The towns of MW and BJ have generously committed a portion of matching funds as a component of the grants. We strongly encourage all MWLA members to volunteer their time as match as well as this decreases the amount of matching cash-out-of-pocket funding expense.

  • Lake Management Planning Grant “Rest Lake Management Planning Project: Phase Ia” ($38,483) sponsored by the MWLA received the highest score of all grant applications in its category in the August 2011 WDNR grant cycle.
  • Aquatic Invasive Species Education, Planning, and Prevention (EPP) Grant “Manitowish Chain of Lakes Management Planning Project: Phase Ib” ($66,645) sponsored by the NLDC received the highest score of all grant applications in its category in the February 2012 WDNR grant cycle.
  • Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Response (EDR) Grant “Manitowish Chain of Lakes EDR Project: Phase I” ($26,621) sponsored by the NLDC for treatment of curly leaf pondweed was also awarded in the February 2012 WDNR grant cycle.
  • Aquatic Invasive Species EPP Grant “Manitowish Chain of Lakes Management Planning Project: Phase IIa” ($44,922) sponsored by the NLDC was awarded in the August 2012 WDNR grant cycle. This project has multiple phases in future years to cover the entire chain and it has continued to be highly ranked in its grant application category, speaking to the state’s continued commitment for grant funding on this long-term chain project.
  • Aquatic Invasive Species EPP Grant “Manitowish  Chain of Lakes Management Planning Project: Phase IIb” ($44,376) sponsored by the NLDC received the highest score of all grant applications in its category in the February 2013 WDNR grant cycle
  • Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Response (EDR) Grant “Manitowish Chain of Lakes EDR Project: Phase II” ($26,521) sponsored by the NLDC for treatment of curly leaf pondweed was also awarded in the February 2013 WDNR grant cycle.

The North Lakeland Discovery Center is always willing to identify any potential aquatic invasive species that you may find in your lake and stream travels. Simply bring a sample by to show us, or take a photograph and email it to [email protected]. Our aquatic invasive species program could not succeed without the efforts of volunteers. We remain very thankful for your endless efforts and look forward to working with you in the future!