​This late spring has been a blessing in many ways.  The gradual melting of last winter’s heavy snow gave engineers at Federal Dam more flexibility in managing Leech Lake water levels and adjusting for flood conditions downstream.  Now the wetlands are brimming, the water table gets a boost, and the statewide drought of last summer is fortunately behind us.  And best of all, there is another summer ahead to enjoy the lake and all that it has to offer.
The annual work of the Leech Lake Association begins now, though we were busy over the winter applying for grants to fund summer projects.  One such grant was for hiring a dive team with specialized equipment to remove starry stonewort from the harbor at Anderson’s Cove resort where it was first discovered in July of 2021.  The Leech Lake Tribe has been doing this for the past two years outside the harbor where starry stonewort was infiltrating the wild rice.  Because of all the boat traffic going in and out of the infected harbor, we and others believed it vital to treat the harbor itself to reduce further spread.
Our other ongoing projects will continue.  Water samples will be collected at four locations on Leech Lake for the fifth year in a row.  These samples are sent to RMB Laboratories in Detroit Lakes for water chemistry analysis and to another laboratory in Michigan to determine phytoplankton levels and how they might be affected over time because of the zebra mussel infestation. 
We are continuing to monitor the Roosevelt Canal for navigation issues and will act where needed.
For those of you who would like to volunteer or assist in these efforts, we invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings which are held the third Monday of each month at 9:30 AM in the Cass County Courthouse.
Here’s wishing you all a safe and enjoyable summer.
Robert Gisvold, President
Leech Lake Association

​The year 2021 ended as it began, with the Covid-19 pandemic still with us, and even ramping up from where it was a year ago.   Despite this, there are many positives to report.  The Leech Lake Association Board was able to meet in person throughout the year, which wasn't possible in 2020 before widespread vaccinations became available.   Still, during the shutdown and since, we have been able to continue our work uninterrupted, thanks to our volunteers and the financial support of our loyal membership.
During the summer of 2021 we continued to collect monthly water samples from four locations on Leech Lake for the fourth year in a row. This work will continue yearly going forward to allow us to track potential changes in water chemistry or phytoplankton populations over time due to the presence of Zebra Mussels and other invasive species.
I am also pleased to report that the Northern Water Land Trust closed in December on sensitive lakeshore on Miller Bay which we have long sought to protect.   This property involves some six acres and 1,300 feet of shoreline adjacent to offshore spawning beds where muskies and other fish are known to spawn.  The property will be deeded over to the DNR as an Aquatic Management Area (AMA).  The Leech Lake Association contributed significant financial support to this acquisition, as we have in the past to protect other sensitive shoreline areas on Leech Lake (e.g., Five Mile Point).
A newer challenge to all of us was the discovery this summer of Starry Stonewart in and adjacent to a harbor on Steamboat Bay.  Starry Stonewart is a particularly nasty invasive in that it forms a scum on the surface which makes boat passage difficult.  It also infiltrates the wild rice, which is another concern.
We began directing our resources at this new invasive this fall and are developing a plan of action with Cass County, the DNR, and the Leech Lake Tribe to halt or mitigate this latest threat.  Please join the Leech Lake Association if you are interested in assisting us in these efforts.  You will find a membership form on this website.

Robert Gisvold, President

April 2022
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​What a difference a year makes.  The dry spring of a year ago which led to low water levels on Leech Lake has evolved into a spring where the snow couldn't seem to stop falling. That is good news for Leech Lake water levels and for those who had difficulty getting their boats off their boat lifts last summer.  The recent drought seems to have ended, at least for a time.
I am pleased to report that the Leech Lake Association Board was able to meet in person throughout last year, which wasn't possible in 2020 before widespread vaccinations became available.   Still, during the shutdown and since, we have been able to continue our work uninterrupted, thanks to our volunteers and the financial support of our loyal membership.
During the summer of 2021 we continued to collect monthly water samples from four locations on Leech Lake for the fourth year in a row. This work will continue yearly going forward to allow us to track potential changes in water chemistry and  phytoplankton populations over time due to the presence of zebra mussels and other invasive species.
I am also pleased to report that the Northern Water Land Trust closed last December on sensitive lakeshore on Miller Bay which we have long sought to protect.   The total property involves some six acres and 13 hundred feet of shoreline adjacent to offshore spawning beds where muskies and other fish are known to spawn.  As reported elsewhere in this newsletter, the property is being acquired in stages through various grants. The Leech Lake Association contributed significant financial support to this acquisition, as we have in the past to protect other sensitive shoreline on Leech Lake (e.g., Five Mile Point).
A newer challenge to all of us was the discovery last summer of starry stonewort in and adjacent to a harbor on Steamboat Bay.  Starry stonewort is a particularly nasty Invasive in that it forms a scum on the surface which makes boat passage difficult.  It also infiltrates the wild rice, which is another concern.
We began directing our resources at this new invasive last fall and are developing a plan of action with Cass County, the DNR, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to halt or mitigate this latest threat, as well as those on the horizon like spiny water fleas.    This spring, we will continue to monitor the Roosevelt Canal for navigation issues and take appropriate action.  We are also working with the Sheriff's Department to acquire additional buoys, some lighted, for Agency Bay and Walker Narrows.
 For those of you who would like to volunteer or assist in these efforts, we invite you to attend one of our monthly meetings which are held the third Monday of each month at 9:30 AM in the Cass County Courthouse.
Here's wishing all of you a safe and enjoyable summer,
Robert Gisvold, President
Leech Lake Association.

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.