lampreys: native friends of portage lake or...
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Spring seems to be getting into full swing and summer activities are right around the corner. It’s this time of year that we seem to get a bit more excited about our beautiful lake. Our lake board has been working dili-gently to prepare for this year’s lake man-agement program with the help of our part-ner, PLM Lake & Land Management Corp.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who attended our spring meet-ing and spaghetti dinner in April. We had a good turnout, some great food, and shared lots of good information. We also added several members to FPL! Welcome!
PLM has conducted their spring survey looking for invasive weeds and problem areas. They are watching for the spread of the relatively new invasive to our lake, Star-ry Stonewort, and the occurrence of high levels of algae growth along with the rou-tine items they look for. Rain levels have been high as of late and we are hopeful that this will not have the negative nutrient im-pact we saw last spring. See the summary on pg. 3 for more details on their survey.
Please feel free to discuss the invasive weed control program or any other areas of lake interest with your board representative. We would welcome your questions and in-put. Thank you again for supporting our treatment efforts for this year as we contin-ue to work to protect our great lake.
Mark Parks
June 2016
Friends of Portage Lake
President’s Report
Lampreys: Native
or invasive?
2016 Board Members
Greg Dedes - Secretary
Nancy Lane & Snug Harbor
greg@cornerstonecm.com
Richard Flegel
Klines Resort
rick.flegel@cox.net
Kevin Hughes Treasurer
Davis Drive
chrisnkev19@comcast.net
Marie Lewis
Lake Ave.
dandmlewis2@gmail.com
Mark Parks - President
North end / E. Shore Lane
mark@jergensinsulation.com
Frank Peterman
hpeterman7521@msn.com
Elayna Stierhoff
elayna13@aol.com
www.friendsofportagelake.com
By Elayna Stierhoff
At the Friends of Portage Lake Spring
meeting, it was brought up that lampreys
were being seen on fish caught recently in
our lake. There was concern that these
could be the invasive and voracious Sea
Lamprey found in the Great Lakes.
Luckily, Helen Peterman’s grandson caught
a fish with a lamprey on it and sent some
pictures. From the pictures, I could narrow
it down to either the Chestnut Lamprey or
the Silver Lamprey – both of which are na-
tive and a good part of our ecosystem. Only
the adults attach onto fish. However, unlike
non-native sea lampreys, they do not feed
off a fish long enough to cause death.
The different types of lamprey vary greatly
in length as adults. The Chestnut Lamprey
is between 5 - 11 inches in length, the Silver
Lamprey is between 4 -13 inches in length
and the sea lamprey is 12- 24 inches in
length. Both the Silver and Chestnut Lam-
preys have a continuous dorsal fin. The Sea
Lamprey had a dorsal fin divided in two
parts. Though the American Brook Lam-
prey also has a divided dorsal fin, it is non-
parasitic and is not found attached to fish.
Native lampreys have a larval stage that can
last 3-7 years, but are only adults for about
8 -20 months. With the water tempera-
tures being 50+ degrees, these adults are
now migrating to feed and spawn. To
spawn, they make depression nests lined
with small rocks in clear rivers and streams.
After the adults mate, they die. Hatched
larva then spend the majority of their life in
the sandy bottom of rivers and streams.
If you catch a lamprey and want to see if it
is a Chestnut Lamprey or a Silver Lamprey,
look at their teeth with a magnifying glass.
Chestnut Lamprey have teeth with two
points (bicuspid) while Silver Lamprey
have teeth with one point (uni-cuspid).
(See diagrams pg 2)
Is Lake Management Worth the Expense?
P a g e 2 P o r t a g e L a k e R e p o r t
By Richard Flegel
How do we achieve our mis-sion?
There are lakes all across Michigan that are in less than ideal condition due to aquatic invasive species. Por-tage Lake is negatively affected by what the Michigan Lakes and Streams Assoc lists as the “Four Most Destructive Species”:
Aquatic Plant First Appeared in Michigan Eur-asian Water Mil-foil 1960’s
Curly-Leaf Pondweed 1910’s
Fanwort (Cabomba Caroliniana) 1930’s
Starry Stonewort 2000’s
We are positioned to manage our invasive plants/algae problem in large part because of the ‘Special Assessment District’ formed as fund-ing mechanism for Portage Lake aquatic invasive species control. The
‘Special Assessment District’ was formed to replace the original volun-teer / donation funding model used to start the association.
How do we compare?
There are approximately 11,000 in-land lakes in Michigan, but only appx. 2,000 ‘Special Assessment Districts’ that address the control of aquatic invasive species. That means
only one in five inland lakes collect funds via this mecha-nism to ad-
dress invasive plant problems. So with respect to funding our lake management program we are ahead of most lake-front property owners and users.
What is the scope of the Aquat-ic Invasive Species problem?
Let’s assume the Portage Lake as-sessment is typical of all lake assess-ment districts in Michigan. In this hypothetical case applying the annu-
al Portage Lake assessment to all 2,000 lakes with ‘Special Assess-ment Districts’ results in an annual expenditure of $64 million. That is a significant expense for the control of these plants. Lakes without funding are likely to struggle with control problems given the widespread oc-currence of invasive species.
Is Portage Lake’s health and viability worth the expense?
The short answer is yes. A Notre Dame University Center for Aquatic Conservation study estimated the loss of ecosystem services to the Great Lakes region due to invasive aquatic plants (and animals) at $200 million/year!
— Dr. Jane Goodall, noted primatolo-gist, has stated how big tasks get ac-complished - “One individual cannot possibly make a difference, alone. It is individual efforts, collectively, that makes a noticeable difference—all the difference in the world!” Your contin-ued support of Friends of Portage Lake is much appreciated.
Our Mission
To learn, study and monitor the
condition of Portage Lake and take
steps to keep it healthy and viable.
Join “GRANDPA” Jim Hamrick for
his FISHING CLASS where he
will share his knowledge and
fishing experience.
HOW TO TIE DIFFERENT
FISHING KNOTS
HOW, WHEN, AND WHERE
TO CATCH FISH
HOW TO CLEAN FISH.
HOW TO CLEAN NORTHERN
PIKE WITH NO “Y” BONES.
Whether you are a beginner or a
long-time fisherperson, Jim has
something new to teach you!
Then, put to use this new found
knowledge and be part of the
2016 FISHING DERBY
Sat. June 18
7:00 am to 12 noon
See flyer for rules & details.
QUESTIONS? Call Jim at 269-649
-5339 OR send email to:
GPJfishingadventures@comcast.net
Thank you to Jim for opening
this event up to FPL Members!
NEW EVENT! Grandpa Jim’s Fishing
School and Portage Lake Fishing Derby!
Grandpa Jim’s Fishing
School
June 8 at 6:30 pm
at the Klines Resort tent
How to Identify
Native Lamprey
P a g e 3
By Richard Flegel
The 2016 Michigan Inland Lakes Con-
vention took place in April in Boyne
Falls, MI. I attended the convention on
behalf of the Friends of Portage Lake
organization. Lake health topics pre-
sented and discussed covered a wide
spectrum - from bacteria to frogs to
plants and fish.*
This article focuses on lake shoreline
and the adjacent shallow water.
A recurring theme in several of the
sessions addressed the roles played by
shoreline and near shore water. There
is a strong correlation between lake
health and shoreline conditions and
characteristics.
A healthy lake typically exhibits
the following:
30 to 50 feet of buffer vegetation
between the water and development
such as lawns, sidewalks, beaches,
houses, sea walls, armored shoreline
native grasses, wildflowers, trees
and shrubs in the buffer zone
woody cover in and above near-
shore shallow water - i.e. fallen
trees, branches, timber
• natural bottom in shallow water:
in ‘hard’ lakes - gravel and course
sand bottom, in ‘soft’ lakes - muck
bottom
bulrushes, cattails, pickerel weed
extending above shallow water
eel grass, waterlily, muskgrass, etc.
are present below the water
The shallow water around the lake
edge is the nursery for fish and the
source of plants, insects and animals
on which the fish feed.
Does a natural shoreline mean the end
of lake views, docks, swim areas and
lawns? No, we can have a healthy, via-
ble lake if the developed shore is in
balance with the
needs of the lake
environment.
The presenters who
study this shore-
line / lake health
balance are in general agreement on
the proportion of “natural” to
“developed” shoreline. Lakes benefit
the most when 80% (or more) of the
shoreline is naturally buffered and
20% (or less) of the shoreline is
“developed”.
How can we achieve this desired 80%
natural - 20% developed shoreline bal-
ance when Portage Lake currently has
approximately 60% natural shoreline
and 40% developed shoreline? Con-
verting one half of the developed
shoreline to a naturally buffered state
would approach the desired 80/20
balance. Making incremental changes
to your shoreline does not mean giving
up your view or your dock.
Useful tools are available to determine
how your shoreline rates in terms of
helping lake habitat. Michigan Shore-
line Stewards has a well developed on-
line survey tool that helps landowners
objectively rate their shoreline. You
can do ‘practice’ surveys which end
with a list of recommendations for im-
proving your shoreline - and positively
impacting lake health. You can also
register as a site user and get a shore-
line rating certificate that ranges from
‘Starter’ to ‘Gold’ level, depending on
the configuration of your property.
I took the 30 question
survey in about 20
minutes. The survey
has built in prompts
and links to guides
and other resources.
Give it a try and you may learn about
some simple changes that can help
Portage Lake.
More information on how to make
these changes to your shoreline is
available at:
www.mishorelinepartnership.org
www.michigan.gov/dnreinlandlakes
http://michiganlakes.msue.mus.edu
www.mishorelandstewards.org
Thanks for doing your part in main-
taining and improving the health of
Portage Lake.
*A complete list of subjects is available at
www.michiganlakes.msue.msu.edu
Background: Michigan Shoreline Stew-
ards is a program within the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership. The Natu-
ral Shoreline Partnership is supported by
the Michigan Lake and Stream Associa-
tion, MI Department of Natural Re-
sources, The Resource Institute of Michi-
gan, the MI Department of Environmental
Quality’s Non-point Source Pollution Pre-
vention Program, Americorps Michigan
Want to improve the health of your lakeshore?
Take the Survey!
www.mishorelandstewards.org
Michigan Inland Lakes Convention Report:
Shoreline and Shallow Water - Why So Important?
SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS
AT DARK on SAT. JULY 2nd*
PRESENTED BY KEN KOOLE
(*TENATIVE DATE. Rain Date July 3)
Ken does a great job each year with
his display!
Donations Accepted (269)569-0248
PLM Preliminary Report:
MAY 6: I was out earlier this week to do the survey... In a nutshell there was not much going on. There was some Curly leaf growing in the two small bays east and west of the boat launch and the far NW part of the lake (near the last few houses/docks. It is still a little cool for Star-ry stonewort but there was a very fine carpet of it along the east shore which might be beneficial to treat anyway.
I did not see much in regards to mil-foil and did not see any Cabomba. It is too early for Cabomba any-way. There was some algae but noth-ing compared to last year. That being said, algae could “pop” if we get a string of hot days. The small marina at Klines Resort did have some Curlyleaf as well and a fair amount of the Native milfoil.
Andy Tomaszewski, Southern Lakes Manager, PLM Corp
I’m a Friend of Portage Lake!
Thank you to our new & renewing
members to date:
Lake Ave: Mich ael Monroe, Jim & Sheri
Munn, Hannah Noble, Frank & Helen Peterman,
Ray Brown, Butch & Karen Wesoloski, Chris & Linda Mil-
ler, Dave & Marie Lewis, Elayna & Brian Stienhoff, Steve
Snyder, Tom & Jaime Barrett, Fred & Panette Edinger, Kurt Holmquist
South End/Rivolake Drive: Lawrence & K ath y Pickett, Dave &
Kathleen Kauffman, Bob & Yvonne Conrad, Jon & Denise VanSickle
Snug Harbor/Nancy Lane: Steven Snyder, Greg & Rach el Dedes,
Tom & Vickie Kelley, David & Cindy Mohr, Joe & Nancy Brumley
Davis Drive: Paul & Joyce K line, Robert W atson, Ruth & Jerry
Besser, Phil & Tama Kline, Kevin & Chris Hughes
East Shore Lane/North End: Betty Meyer, Robert & Lori Meyer,
Larry & Carol Higgins, Mark & Robin Parks, Julie Aguilera & Chris Snyder
Klines Resort: Daniel & Cydnea Pierce #176, Robert & Sh aralyn
Vogel #117, Paul & Becky Roberts #124, Jim & Linda Hamrick #93, Donald &
Janet Squires #235, David & Jolaine Snyder #132, Beverly & Merle Gray
#89, Quentin & Eileen Meyers #284, John & Charlene Esman #268, Karen
Crook #135, Richard & Sherry Flegel #236, Larry & Jeanine Helmer #85,
Richard Ireland #122, Gerry & Debbie Ireland #120, David Bratt #163, Bob
and Joan Cole #226
We appreciate your support in helping keep Portage Lake healthy & viable!
7th Annual JULY 4TH BOAT PARADE
JOIN “FRIENDS OF PORTAGE LAKE” FOR
OUR JULY 4TH BOAT PARADE!
DECORATE YOUR BOAT IN A PATRIOTIC STYLE!
OR BE CREATIVE WITH ANY THEME!
TIME: 1 PM starting in front of light house Every participant will receive a souvenir trophy.
YOU MAY WIN THE “PATRIOT CUP” TRAVELING TROPHY.
YOUR NAME WILL BE INGRAVED ON IT FOR 2016 AND
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DISPLAY IT PROUDLEY ALL YEAR!
OR, COME UP WITH YOUR OWN IDEA AND WIN THE
“MOST CREATIVE” TROPHY THAT YOU GET TO KEEP!!
TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS AND JOIN THE FUN
For More information contact:
Kevin Hughes - Phone: (269) 649-9535 Email: chrisnkev19@comcast.net
SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE….. ALTHOUGH I THINK WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR AT LEAST A FULL WEEK OF SPRING!!
Now is the time to renew or be-come a member of Friends of Por-tage Lake for 2016. As a new member, you will receive the color topographic map and the black and white contour map of Portage Lake. Current members who have not received their maps should contact their lake representative. As of now, we have 48 current members.
The 2016 annual membership fee remains just $25 per home/parcel. Members are a key part of the decision making process for our board. Please consider join-ing by the July 1st deadline.
Thanks! Kevin Hughes, Treasurer
Beginning Balance: $11,918
Memberships & Donations $ 1,379
Spring dinner expense <$ 223>
MLS Membership Dues <$ 150>
MLS Meeting Expense <$206>
New Balance $12,718
As of 5/12/2016
Treasurer’s Report
Save These
Dates!
June 8: Jim’s Fish-
ing School: 6:30 pm
June 18: Fishing Derby: 7 am
July 1: Memberships Due
July 2: Fireworks by Ken
Koole (Rain Date July 3)
July 4: Boat Parade: 1 pm
Sept 29: Annual Dinner Meet-
ing & Elections: 6 pm
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