The Wisconsin Association of La= kes and partners at the UW-Extension Lakes program and the Department of Natural Resources have selected Bob August, Chetek resident and direc= tor of the Chetek Lakes Protection Association, as the winner of the 2007 Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Award in the Special Recognition category, along with 16 of his peers from across the state who have also served= as citizen lake monitors for at least 20 years.

The winners of this award join a select group of women, men, students= and organizations whose unmatched dedication, vision, and commitment ensu= re that Wisconsin's legacy of lakes will be safe and secure for generati= ons to come.

All award winners will be recognized at the Wisconsin La= ke Stewardship Luncheon at the Wisconsin Lakes Convention on Friday, Apr= il 27, at the KI Convention Center in downtown Green Bay.

Prairie Lake Aerator removal

With ice-out every spring comes the removal= of aerators, buoys and 4 miles of rope on the upper North end of Prairie Lake. . On Friday April 13, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources personnel with Chetek Lakes Protection Association volunteers, Ron Brewster, David Brewster, Water Wozniak, Ry= an = Schulz and Mike Chlopek of Morningside Resorts completed this work.

A= erators were installed during first safe ice in Jan= uary by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources crew and volunteers from= the Chetek = Lakes protection Association. The placing of the aerators helps prevent fish kill due to lack of oxygen in the water.

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I= f anyone is interested in protecting our fishery by volunteering for the placement= and removal of ropes and buoys in 2008 or joining the Chetek Lakes Protection Association, please contact John Plaza at 859-2816= , no experience is required.

Boat Landing sign inspecti= on

Every spring Don freeman. CLPA director updates = and inspects the information board that is located at every boat landing. Items posted on this board inc= lude state rules and regulations concerning boating, fishing, littering and other important lake use information.&= nbsp; If you have time and want to give Don Freeman a hand give him a = call at 924-3658.

Fish crib activity for 200= 7 -2008

This year we will be placing fish cribs in Prairie lake. A fish crib is made u= p of 5 pallets strapped together. = We normally create a fish crib cluster using 8 cribs. The DNR’s definition of Fish crib” means a man-made 3-dimensional habitat structure composed of biological or inert materials designed specifically to attract and concentrate fish.<= /p>

Fish crib standards. fish cribs shall meet the follow= ing requirements:

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1. Fish cribs shall have a minimum of 5 feet of wa= ter over the top of the structure. The depth and clearance of the fish cribs shall be based on the normal lowest water level condition during a calend= ar year.

2. Fish cribs shall be constructed of biological materials, with the exception of fastening and anchoring devices.

3. The dimensions of a fish crib shall be no large= r than 8 feet tall by 8 feet long by 8 feet wide.

4. Fish cribs may not be placed within 100 feet of swimming beaches or swim rafts.

5. Fish cribs may not be located in soft sediment = or muck that is greater than 12 inches in depth.

6. Fish cribs may not be placed where the bottom c= ontour of the waterway exceeds a slope of 4-foot horizontal to one-foot vertical= .

7. Fish cribs shall be adequately anchored to prev= ent movement.

If you are a Riparian" means an owner of land abutting a navigable waterway and wish to h= ave fish crib placement on your lake please contact Don Freeman at 924-3658 to discuss requirements and future crib placement. Don can also use a hand in build= ing the cribs and placing them in the lake, if you are willing to help give h= im a call.

Shoreland restoration proj= ect

Coming to your mailbox soon, information on how yo= u can play an important part in the future and continued health of the Chetek C= hain .

The concept of a natural shoreline does not mean neglected, weedy, or unkempt properties!= How many lawns can you count around lake? Probably more than you used to, = as increasing numbers of people are retiring to live full time at their cabi= ns. While grass has its place, lakes= and lawns have a relationship that is uneasy at best and poisonous at worst.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Indolent things that they are, l= awns displace the hard-working native plants that protect the lake. When heavy rain comes, the flopp= y blades lay down and let the rain beat all over them, eroding the topsoil and carrying it into the lake. According to one study, 90 percent of the rain falling on a natural shore is absorbed before reaching the water, while up to 55 percent of the rain falling on hard surfaces, including lawns, flows right into the lake. This runoff carries w= ith it, pesticides and playing havoc on the aquatic ecosystem.]

Watercraft Inspection Prog= ram

Did you know that hundreds of plants and animals are taking over the natural resources of o= ur state by displacing native species and disrupting ecosystems? Did you know that these 'invasive' species affect outdoor recreation like swimming, fishing, and hiking and take an economic toll on commercial, agricultural, forestry, and aquacultural resources?

The Watercraft Inspection Program involves dissemination of information to anglers and recreational boaters to make them aware of what invasive species look like and what precautions they should take to avoid spreading them. It also involves visual inspection of boats to make sure = they are "clean" and demonstration to the public of how to take the proper steps to clean their boats, trailers, and boating equipment. Watercraft inspectors also install signs at boat landings informing boate= rs of infestation status, state law, and steps to prevent spreading invasive= .

This project is headed by Don Freeman from Memorial = day through Labor day. Don is a= lways looking for volunteers to help out at various boat landings; all will be trained and will partner with an experienced volunteer. If you are interested in protect= ing our lakes and giving up an occasional few hours, then give Don a call at = 924-3658.

CLPA Annual meeting

This year’s CLPA meeting will be held on Sun= day, August 5^th at Sportsman’s Supper Club at 2 PM. Watch for your invitation in the= mail and please RSVP if you plan on attending.

Did you know?

A pound of phosphorus fertilizer washed off the la= wn and into the lake fuels the growth of 500 pounds of aquatic plants.

What do you think of this newsletter?

Should we continue it?

What would you like to see in it?

Send your comments to info@cheteklak= espa.org attention John Plaza