Riparian Association

A few items did not make it into the latest newsletter so please see them below.

REPORT ON FISH PLANTING PROGRAM (John Sick)

As reported in the “Message from the Board of Directors”, we are working with the DNR to hopefully reinstate a trout planting program for Moon Lake to begin in May, 2015.  The DNR now requires the recording of water temperatures at least once a week for the month of July.  The purpose of this is to demonstrate that water temperatures will successfully support trout, a cold water fish.  John Sick and Dale Sharpee have taken on this task and so far have taken two sets of readings at three foot intervals from three feet to thirty-six feet.  Trout prefer temperature ranges from 50? to 68?.  So far the readings indicate suitable temperatures for trout.  The highest reading is 74? at three feet and the lowest is 52? at 36 feet.  Temperatures start to drop dramatically at about 20 feet, which is the approximate thermocline level.  The last reading at 20 feet was 63? and 56? at 27 feet.  When the DNR discontinued the program in 2011, one of their concerns was the rather dramatic drop in water levels due to our prolonged drought.  We have provided data about the recovery of water levels and the DNR has indicated this is a very positive factor.  Our DNR representative attended our last board meeting and indicated that, if approved, the type of trout planted would most likely be Splake, which is a hybrid cross between a brook trout and lake trout.  The fingerlings planted would be 7 to 9 inches in length.  We should know by late fall whether or not the proposed program for our lake is approved—stay tuned in.

A SECOND recommendation is that we test a sampling of fish from Moon Lake for mercury.  Here is the e-mail we received concerning the matter:   “John, I found that we do not have mercury trend data for fish tissue in Moon Lake.  If you and your colleagues could collect up to ten legal size (and larger) smallmouth bass, and freeze them, then we could get them to Crystal Falls fish shop and then down to Lansing lab.  Thank you.”   Obviously we cannot catch the required number of legal smallmouth at one time.  Tom Chase has offered freezer space until we accumulate the ten fish.  If you catch a legal smallmouth and want to donate it, freeze it immediately and then take it to Tom for storage.  I hate to lose ten legal sized smallmouth from our lake, but if we consume fish caught in our lake, it is critical to know that it is safe for us to eat.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL – Every year a very popular music festival is held at the Porcupine Mountain State Park.  The festival features a variety of music by bands from across the USA and Canada.  It is three days of great music from August 22-24.  You have the option of attending separate days of all three days.  Tickets to the festival are $90 for a three-day pass or $35 for a one-day pass.  For those purchasing tickets by phone or internet, a senior discount is available. The number to call to book by phone is 906.884.7663.  This festival has been attended by the Turnquists and they give it a big thumbs-up rating.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM MLRA MEMBERS  –  If you have comments, concerns, suggestions, or questions about anything concerning our lake, please feel free to contact us by e-mail atjsick@cfl.rr.com.  Please enjoy the rest of your summer and above all stay well.

Water Level: As you know we had a cold and snowy winter. When the ice went out this spring the lake level was 3.50′, up 7.5” from last fall’s level at ice over of 2.87′. Today the level read 4.00′, up 6” from spring ice out and 13.5” from ice over last fall.

Loons: It has been a tough spring for the loons. They nested in May but were driven from their nest by Loon Black Flies. Apparently this phenomenon occurred with nearly every nesting pair in Vilas County, WI.

The Loons nested again and sat on the nest for at least a couple of weeks. A Loon was observed on the nest on June 11. With all the vegetation on the nest it is possible the nest could have been occupied even earlier. On June 26 the Loons were observed to be off the nest and have not returned.

While it is highly unlikely they will attempt to breed again, the buoys at the entrance to the West bay will remain in place until we know for sure, but will certainly be up for the 4^th of July weekend.

Newsletter: It has been a while since a newsletter has been published. John Sick has volunteered to take over responsibility for the newsletter and is shooting for getting in out in mid to late July.

Fish Stocking: There has been no stocking of fish in Moon Lake since 2011. The Brown Trout stocking program has proved largely unsuccessful. Thanks to the tenacity of John Sick, a representative from the Michigan DNR Fisheries met with the board on the morning of June 30. If more stocking is to be done, some temperature monitoring of the lake must be done. John Sick and Dale Sharpe have volunteered to do the monitoring. If the temperature data indicates a good fit for Splake planting, that could be done next Spring. Not guaranteed, but fairly likely.