As I look out my window this morning I see a lake free of ice and five inches of snow on the ground  -- perhaps not surprising for Minnesota in April.   But we can hope that this year's  early ice out is a harbinger of an early spring, and good things to come: the end of the year-long  lock-downs, and  the resumption of normal life where we can see family and friends without fear, or restrictions.  At least we  can hope, and hope does indeed spring eternal -- particularly on the lake, in the spring. 

Although we have not been able to meet in person this past year, the work of the Leech Lake Association has continued.    Each month from May through September our volunteers collected water samples  for analysis of water chemistry and phytoplankton populations.  This is a multi-year study that will monitor the impact of zebra mussels and other invaders on Leech Lake over time.  Their impact may or may not be severe, but could affect property values, fishing, and our important tourism industry. We believe it important that this information be collected and made available.  

We also met during 2020 with the DNR and  the Fisheries Input  Group through zoom meetings to update the 2015-2020  Leech Lake Fisheries Management Plan which will be extended through 2025. 

We continue to support the acquisition of sensitive lakeshore and offshore spawning beds on Miller Bay (Whipholt area),  which seems to be proceeding on schedule.  This and other ongoing efforts are discussed in more detail in this newsletter.
During 2020, we obtained the necessary Tribal permits and had Ryan Bruns dredge  the Roosevelt Canal to remove sand and rocks which were starting to clog the Traders Bay entrance. Ryan donated his time and equipment to do this. We also inspected the canal a few days ago and decided that the canal did not need to be dredged at this time, thanks in part to the recent rain and snow.  However, we will continue to monitor the canal over the next few weeks and dredge if necessary.

The LLA Board intends  to begin meeting in person the 3rd Monday of the month at the Cass County Courthouse as soon as it is safe to do, and the courthouse is open for meetings.  We are not yet sure when this might be.   Our Annual Meeting and Dinner, presently scheduled for August,  also remains uncertain at this time.   For information regarding future Leech Lake Association meetings,  please contact our Secretary, Dave Laursen.   We wish all of you a healthy and enjoyable summer.          
​                            
 Robert Gisvold, President.

By Robert Gisvold, President
​
Your 2019/2020 membership dues expired on July 31 of this year. We sincerely hope that you will renew your membership for the coming fiscal year 2020/21.  Annual dues remain the same:  $30 for a family, $50 for a business, and $100 as a sponsor.  Your financial support and volunteer efforts allow the Leech Lake  to continue its work in providing a healthy lake for this and future generations. 
 
Those of you who have been members for many years know the challenges that Leech Lake has faced in the past:  the collapse of the walleye fishery, the cormorant invasion that contributed to the decline of the walleye fishery, the pressures of unsustainable development.. The Leech Lake Association has long been on the front lines for all of these issues, supported entirely by volunteers and Association dues and contributions.  One of the newest unknowns is the arrival in the lake of zebra mussels.  Towards this end, we are on our 3rd summer of collecting water samples to determine the effect of these new arrivals on algal populations which represent the bottom of the food chain and are critical to the health of fish populations.
 
Some of our ongoing efforts are cited below:

• Leech Lake Fishing Advisory Committee: We are working members of this committee which has, for the past dozen years, been providing input to the DNR as the DNR developed its highly effective five year management plans for improving and protecting the Leech Lake fishery.  These plans -- developed with input from fishing guides, resort owners, fishing experts and local business people  --  have been instrumental in stocking walleye fry, controlling cormorants, deciding slot and bag limits, and restoring good walleye fishing on Leech Lake. . The Advisory Committee meets annually to compare actual fish survey data with plan goals, and make modifications as needed.  .  A 2019 modification relaxed the walleye slot limit, allowing anglers  keep one walleye over 20 inches.  This was done to remove some of the larger walleyes from the lake and improve the size structure and numbers of perch, which are also important to fisherman and the winter economy.    

 

• Shoreline and Spawning Bed Protections:  For many years the Leech Lake Association has contributed time and dollars to the acquisition of sensitive shoreline areas and spawning beds on Leech Lake.   Several years ago we partnered with the DNR and the Leech Lake Area Watershed Foundation (LLAWF) to protect sensitive lakeshore and offshore spawning beds on Five Mile Point.  We are presently participating with the DNR and the Northern Waters Land Trust  (formerly the LLAWF) to acquire sensitive shoreline and protect spawning beds on Miller Bay on  Rogers Point. The proposed acquisition, if completed, would protect approximately six acres and 1300 feet of shoreline adjacent to the spawning area.

 

• Lake Safety and Navigation: Association dues help pay for dredging of the Roosevelt Canal to allow boat traffic between Agency Bay and the main lake. This canal, dug back in WPA days,  is a critical waterway for many and has required annual dredging the last several years to remove rocks and sand washing into the canal on the Traders Bay side.    We also purchase lighted buoys and replacement channel markers, and assist the Sheriff's office and the Corps of Engineers with placement.

 

• AIS Mitigation and Prevention:  Over the past several years the Leech Lake Association has obtained matching grants to pay for boat inspectors and inspections at Leech Lake public boat launching areas (over and above that provided by DNR). Each year our volunteers assist with AIS inspection and boat certification for Leech Lake Fishing Tournaments.   While these inspections did not prevent the infestation of the lake by zebra mussels, there are other aquatic invasive species (AIS)  looming on the horizon  (like spiny waterfleas and starry stonewart) so vigilance is still in order.

 

• Water Testing:   This fall we  completed our third  summer of collecting water samples at five locations on the lake, a program which will continue for the next several years.  Our volunteers collect the samples and we apply for grants to pay for the analysis. .The data will be used in the future to determine changes taking place in the lake as we move forward with Eurasian watermilfoil, rusty crayfish, and zebra mussel infestations.  In addition to water chemistry, we recently added testing for phytoplankton (algal) populations.

 

• Legislative/Rulemaking: Our Board participates in zoning inspections of lakeshore developments, variance requests and conditional use permit applications looking for potential negative impact on the lake, watershed or neighborhood.. 

 

• Shingobee Island Fishing Pier: The Association and its members played a key role in the restoral of this valuable landmark. The new pier has been designed and built to accommodate all fishing enthusiasts especially those with disabilities.  

 

• Website Development: The Association now has an official website which allows you to access Association news online. We are maintaining the website but are open to any changes our members would like to see.

 
We sincerely hope at this time that you will renew your Leech Lake Association membership.   To do so,  fill out and mail in the Membership Form. We need your help -- now more than ever. Despite the pandemic, we are continuing to work on your behalf.