LAKE WASHINGTON 2017 ICE OUT is March 27th

Annual Meeting is Saturday, May 6th starting at 5 PM at Dassel Rod and Gun

Swimmer's Itch item from DNR (Scott Mackenthun)

Aquatic nuisance permits are issued through MN DNR Fisheries' Aquatic Plant Management permitting program - kind of an odd pairing but it was really just grouped in with other pesticide permitting that was already being done for aquatic plants. For anyone looking for a swimmer's itch permit, the easiest thing is to go to http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mpars/index.html and use the MNDNR's Permitting and Reporting System (MPARS) to apply. The permit cost is $4 per 100 feet of shoreline (http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fish_wildlife/fisheries/apm/apm-permit-fee-guide.pdf). No inspection is required for swimmer's itch control; for aquatic plant control an inspection is usually required. With a permit, lakeshore property owners dealing with the nuisance can treat for swimmer's itch with copper sulfate that is labeled for control of snails. As with all pesticide application in the state of Minnesota, the label wording is the law, i.e. pesticide must be applied according to label instructions. It is also recommended for swimmers to take a shower immediately after swimming or to dry yourself completely with a towel to avoid the condition.

END OF THE DOCK

Ron Bubany, Editor

Once again, cormorants are a hot topic in our newsletter. Steve Grotbo connects these birds to swimmer's itch and also points out the relationship of bird counts to fish counts. See his article.

Skip is back at it again with the watershed improvements. Read what's been done and what is planned. If you run into Skip be sure to express your appreciation for the work he and his buddies are doing to improve our lake quality.

Dave Rathe has become a man of all trades for us as he reports on water quality, zebra mussels and the I-LIDS camera. Many thanks, Dave!

I don't have a milfoil report in this issue as there have been no weeds present for two years now. We will be conducting a full length assessment in May just to be sure the plants have not returned. A report will be filed for you in the summer newsletter.

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Click here for list of paid members for 2017

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