Minnesota DNR webinar series offers ways to learn about the outdoors this summer

Registration open for new sessions of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series

Webinars on walleye genetics, buckthorn management, and fish dubbed “living fossils” like gar and paddlefish will be among the outdoors topics covered in the summer series of the Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“Our outdoors skills webinars are a great way for people to broaden their interest in, and knowledge of, the outdoors,” said Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator. “In Minnesota, there are tons of ways to enjoy fish and wildlife and public lands and waters. Our webinars can help people gain more knowledge and appreciation for what’s out there, and that can lead to being a better steward of our natural resources and trying something new.”

New webinars this summer focus on topics that will appeal to people interested in nature, including anglers and hunters. The live webinars are at noon on Wednesdays and last an hour or less.

Summer topics:

• June 18: Aquatic invasive species and watercraft inspections

• June 25: Mitigating human-wildlife conflicts

• July 23: Buckthorn management

• July 30: Walleye genetics and survival

• Aug. 6: Spruce budworm

• Aug. 13: Gar and paddlefish in today’s world

• Aug. 20: Early teal season

• Aug. 27: Why we manage chronic wasting disease

All webinars are live-captioned and free of cost (pre-registration is required). Recorded webinars are posted for those who can’t attend the live event. Episode descriptions, registration information and a robust webinar archive are available on the MN DNR website. 

For other education and learning opportunities from the Minnesota DNR, including about boat and water safety, hunter education, firearms safety, natural resources education, recreational vehicle safety, visit the Minnesota DNR education and safety training page.  

 For information about the Minnesota DNR I Can! Program that includes programs on camping, paddling, mountain biking, fishing and archery, visit the Minnesota DNR I can! page. 

Great news for those who fish!

Zint Kics, LLPOA board member in charge of wildlife and fishing, recently spent his time checking back with the DNR concerning the research they did last year on Lone Lake.  He shares the good news he received with you below.During the June 2024 Lone Lake water quality survey, the DNR utilized near shore seine nets and back pack electro fishing to determine the lakes IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity). The IBI is a tool used to identify the health of a body of water. This includes water quality and pollution levels as well as fish populations and mix of species.  

According to Rick Bruesewitz, MN DNR: "This survey showed a very nice mix of species such that the score for the lake is at the “Exceptional” level, which means really good.  As such, it is very likely the Brainerd IBI staff may come back either this year or next to repeat the nearshore survey, just to confirm that status".  I asked Rick about a rumor that the DNR is considering stocking Lone Lake with lake trout. Although our lake is healthy, lake trout need a higher oxygen level to survive than Lone Lake could supply. According to Rick; Lake Trout (as a rule of thumb, need 5 ppm Oxygen at 50 degrees and our lake is at 0.4 - 0.7 ppm oxygen at 50 degrees and does not meet these criteria. 

This spring the DNR stocked Lone Lake with 247 pounds of 2 year old walleyes. These walleyes were 10 to 12 inches in length. Last year's stocking of walleye fry (newly hatched, 0.4 - 1.2 inches) didn’t go as well as expected. Lone Lake will be added to the list of lakes to be stocked this fall with fingerling walleye, (4 – 6 inches in length). 

Happy Fishing!

Powassan Virus: another tick disease

Minnesota now has concerns about another tick-borne disease.  Powassan virus, while minimal cases in 2024, is on the radar of state epidemiologists.  Carried by blacklegged ticks (deer ticks), it can cause neurological damage.While the risk is very low, the tick prevention that you will do for ordinary ticks will also help prevent this serious virus if it has arrived in our area. An awareness for ticks, now that it is spring, is needed.

Read more, click here.

2025 Spring Meeting with DNR Hydrologist Jacob Frie

Overview. In 2024, we had a lively discussion at the annual meeting about lake levels and high water markers on the lake. Following through on our promise to keep our lake members educated, we hosted a meeting in April 2025 with Jacob Frie, DNR Hydrologist for the Brainerd West area.

Content Discussed.

What the ordinary high water mark and how is it set?

How does the new culvert affect lake levels?

Key metrics & history specific to Lone Lake

Links.

Access the meeting recording here

Access the powerpoint slides here

Access Lone Lake DNR Lake Finder here

Fast Facts.

• We know our outlet is at the correct level to keep our lake and property safe.

• We know there are laws and rules as to why we can build only at certain levels.

• We cannot control the level of the lake, and our lake has little run-off from near-by areas.

• That can be a benefit and a curse - the water does stay cleaner because of fewer streams entering the lake.

• The lakeshore in front of your cabin is what you received, whether you purchased or inherited your land in winter or summer.  It won’t change.  It protects everyone in today’s world.

• We need to share, appreciate what we have, keep it clean, and respect that everyone around the lake also understands that maintaining the lake is our responsibility.

Preparing your dock, lift, and water toys for winter

Winter’s Coming!

As we start getting ready to remove boats, lifts, dock and water toys, the DNR says:

• Carefully inspect everything to make sure there are no aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, or New Zealand mudsnails attached.

• Look on the posts, wheels, and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons, and rafts that may have been submerged in water for an extended period. In newly infested waters, adult zebra mussels may not be abundant and you might notice only a few mussels on your equipment.

• If you think you have discovered an invasive species that has not already been confirmed in your lake contact your area DNR aquatic invasive.

Storing lifts and docks for winter

You may remove water-related equipment from a water body – even if it has zebra mussels or other prohibited invasive species attached – and place it on the adjacent shoreline property without a permit.

However, if you want to transport a dock or lift to another location for storage or repair, you may need a permit to authorize transport of prohibited invasive species and aquatic plants. (Fortunately, Lone Lake doesn’t have this issue yet.)

Transporting watercraft for storage

You may not transport any watercraft with zebra mussels, faucet snails, or other prohibited invasive species or aquatic plants attached away from a water access or other shoreland property, even if you intend to put it in storage for the winter.

If you need to transport your watercraft at the end of the season, you may need a permit to authorize transport of prohibited invasive species and aquatic plants.

General Permits and more info:

• Transport Aquatic Plants and Prohibited Invasive Species from Riparian Property to a Disposal Location (General Permit 2015-002) (PDF)

• Transport Watercraft with Prohibited Invasive Species for Cleaning or Storage (General Permit 2015-003) (PDF)

• Transport Boat Lifts, Docks or Other Water-Related Equipment with Prohibited Invasive Species Attached for Repair, Storage or Cleaning (General Permit 2015-004) (PDF)

• Transport construction Equipment with Prohibited Invasive Species Attached for Cleaning, Repair or Storage (General Permit 2015-005) (PDF)

• Businesses to Transport Aquatic Plants and Prohibited Invasive Species to a Disposal Location (General Permit 2015-006) (PDF)

Getting to Know Your Director of Digital Strategy Samantha (Sam) Norton

Samantha (Sam) Norton is the granddaughter of Walt and Dianne Weisser. The Weisser’s have lived on the South side of the lake for nearly 30 years (lot #2 near the public access).

When Sam is not at the lake, she lives in Plymouth with her husband (Trevor) and their 12 year old black lab named Rally. Sam is an alumni of Dartmouth College where she was D1 collegiate swimmer. She works for a Fortune 5 company as part of a team that develops strategies to support a multi-billion dollar sales organization. In her free time, Sam enjoys baking sourdough, growing veggies in the garden, taking Rally for walks, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Here are some of Sam’s favorite memories and traditions from Lone Lake.

1. Lakeside Wedding - Sam married her husband (Trevor) in June 2023 surrounded by 200 of their closest friends and family. The lake made for picture perfect photos!

2. The beautiful views - The Norton / Weisser family loves to spend time together around the campfire enjoying the breathtaking sunsets.

3. Boat rides - They have a nightly tradition of piling into the boat for a post-dinner boat ride, usually featuring narration about the lake history and fun facts from Grandma Dianne.

4. Enjoying a glass of Bin Wine - The family has crafted over 1,000 bottles of homemade wine! They named their winery after the nickname for the cabin - the Bin! If you look closely, you can see Rally the black lab on the wine label.

5. 4th of July festivities - like many on the lake, Sam loves to participate in the annual boat parade and triathlon.

Key dates and news briefs

Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30-Sept. 2) should have AIS checking at the public boat landing. Please encourage cooperation from any guests and help keep our lake clean.

Annual Fall LLPOA Road Clean-up has been delayed until Saturday, September 28. 9am.

Please join us at the public beach for coffee/water and a delicious roll donated by Paulbeck’s amazing bakery. Less than an hour of your time will help keep our surrounding roads clean for the winter.

Storm Damage: Quite a few properties on the SE side of the lake have had roofing contractors contact them about hail damage from the June 12 storm. Insurance companies are providing funds for new roofs. If you have any thoughts that your roof may have had damage from that storm, it is time to contact someone to check your roof. Remember that in MN you have a year from the date of the incident to do something.

Last call for membership in 2024 LLPOA. In addition to knowing that you are assisting the organization to prepare for whatever lies ahead, all members receive a copy of the updated lake information and roster later this fall.Click this link to join!

Unchecked development, lax regulation push MN lakeshores to the edge

MPR news shared a researched article August 14, 2024 about the development of MN shorelines in the past 50 years. For a state that is focused on lake culture and a state legislature that makes many rules, how did things change so rapidly?

Some high(low) points are:

• “cabin” areas are looking more like suburban communities

• people wanting to build “bigger”

• working from the cabin is preferred by many over working in the city

• more roofs, driveways, patios and other hard surfaces (causing that rain water to often run straight into the lake, carrying soil, phosphorus, and other bad things)

• rip rap rather than soft surface shorelines (doesn’t allow the necessary softer spots for animals and plants at lake’s edge

• regulations not working

• land owners pushing the limits

• no buffer—fertilized green grass right to the shoreline
  

Impacts include:

• phosphorus in the lake….native plant roots can be 15 feet long while much of the MN grass roots are a few inches

• heavier rainfalls with climate change brings that water and phosphorus into the lake much easier

• trees eliminated as cabin owners want to see the lake rip rap doesn’t allow animals to easily move from land to water…loons especially
  

  How would you score for your property?

• Lakeshore that has no development would score 100. Forest Lake, in the town of Forest Lake, scored a 37.

• Try it. Click on the link, read the article, scrolling to the bottom for the survey link that asks….Are you a lake steward?

• Most of us want our lake cabin to be “big enough”, have flush facilities and power, a nice view, and internet!

• What are we doing to our lake by wanting all these things? Our lake has been wonderful but we are on a downward slide. Read the article and insert “LONE” into the lake finder and see how we rated in 2015. Have we improved or ???

So many reasons are possible! We need you to be a lake steward. LLPOA is looking into what we can do to encourage all of us to become purposeful lakeshore owners/stewards. Please, read the article using this link.

Please take the survey. Let’s take the next steps together to keep our lake near the top of the list for best MN lakes. You will enjoy that as will your property value!

We need your help and ideas. Let us know your thoughts as to the next steps for Lone Lake. Email at lonelakepoa@gmail.com

Exciting news for fisherpeople in the months and years to come

• This year's lake survey showed low numbers of walleyes. The MN DNR's request for the larger yearling walleyes for stocking Lone Lake was approved. (Yearlings are in the 8 – 10-inch range.)

• Good news as typically, Lone Lake is stocked with fry, newborns or fingerlings, usually the size of a finger. Fish stocking usually occurs in the spring or fall.   

• Depending on the DNR's supply of yearling walleye they will probably have enough to stock Lone Lake this November and then again next spring.  

• More good fish news to come— please share if you see the stocking operation in progress.

Important lake data for the summer of 2024

• Dave Dusbabek checked our lake for water clarity and temperature.

• July 18th the Secchi disc read 20.5’ with a water surface temperature of 78 degrees.

• August 13th the clarity dropped to 19’ and the water surface temperature dropped to 76 degrees.

• We know water clarity depends on the lake with many lakes having less than 5’. We are fortunate to have a clean lake. Thanks for helping keep it clean.

  Many thanks Dave for your efforts.