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