Tidbits from Lone Lake

Observers report one loon chick and family living at each end of the lake…..east and west. Thoughts are that both chicks are now able to dive but please continue to slow down for the loon families.

Secchi disc reading remains at 24’ for the second week in a row. (30’ is the common springtime reading.) Other lakes have reported clearer than usual water for this time of year. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Reports of a bear and possibly two cubs have been shared from the southeastern side of Lone Lake and towards Elm Island Lake. (Garbage can issues, feces, and sightings.) While the bear(s) seem to cover quite a bit of territory, make sure you are not inviting them near your property.

Photo by Patrick Napurski

Now you see it, then you won’t

Neighbors and Lone Lake friends gathered Saturday morning, July 30 to install willow wattle and native, lakeside plantings on the shore of the Prell cabin (lot 19). (Look carefully to see the vertical wooden stakes which hold in the "mesh" of willow saplings that were gathered, tied together, and brought to the lake edge.)

Why? With our changing water levels and changes in use of the lake, more and continued effort is needed to keep our lake from regressing any further on the “declining” list of Aitkin County lakes.

During the past two plus years, the overall Secchi disc numbers are trending down. While we have better water quality than many other area lakes, looking at numbers, you will be “seeing” less of the lake bottom as time goes on.

That lake bottom needs to be undisturbed as much as possible. With various equipment now available for fun, the closer you are to the bottom of the lake, the more the items lying there (including lost fishing rods, anchors, and the like) move around. (Research now suggests keeping 25' under a boat, deeper than the previously suggested 17'.)

The movement near the bottom releases the phosphorus that comes with decaying leaves and other dead materials. All of this clouds up the beautifully clear waters of Lone Lake. (Some of this is just nature, we can’t prevent all leaves from falling in the lake.)

What can you do?

  • Keep your shore on the shore.

  • Maintain a minimum 6 foot natural barrier of native plant growth next to the water’s edge. (Weeds count!)

  • Use willow wattle, coir logs, rocks, downed trees or other natural items to hold back the lakeshore from the waves created by wind and boats.

  • When boating, keep bigger boats to the middle of the lake, even small boats need to lower their speed when near the shore.

  • Grass clippings or leaf collection near the shoreline need to be taken away from the lake as far as you can. (Ask your lawn maintenance people if that is happening for your property.) Thanks to the residents who have made that effort this year.

Do your part. Every little bit counts.

charts that were available at annual meeting

Paper copies of the chart above were available at the annual meeting in July. Please take the time to look at both photos (2 sided form) to learn more about lakes in the area and understand why your property is especially valued. Lone Lake continues to have the best Secchi disc reading even with a decline. Help us change the trend... Incline the decline!

Joint Statement from Steven’s Point Association and the LLPOA

To: LLPOA Members

From: Steve Frazier, LLPOA Pres. and Gino Perrozzi, Steven’s Lone Lake Association President

Re: Use of the Buoyed Swimming Beach off of Steven’s Point Date: June 24, 2022

Gino Perrozzi, President of the Steven’s Lone Lake Association (SLLA), and Steve Frazier (LLPOA President) met on Sunday, June 12th to discuss the complaint relating to the use of sandbar and swimming beach that is buoyed off as a shallow water and swim area.

President Perrozzi was well aware of the situation having read Steve’s letter on behalf of the LLPOA.

Gino and Steve agreed at the outset that property rights end at the water’s edge but understand that all lakeshore owners feel protective of their beach, swim and dock areas. Gino and Steve also agreed that this issue (as in all issues) has more than one side and those mitigating circumstances can lead to frustration and conflict as in the case on Steven’s Point.

Gino, speaking on behalf of his association members, recounted a number of examples of abuses his association members have had to put up with over the years that has caused a “some of his members” to become intolerant with outside people coming to use the point swimming area . Their association also requires an adult/parent to accompany their children while at the swimming area. So then, here are some of the abuses SLLA members have had to endure from abusers:

  1. Trespassing onto the associations sand beach and shoreline.

  2. Leaving litter on the SLLA’s’s beach and in the water.

  3. Defecating on the beach.

  4. Parents dropping-off their children to swim while they cruise the lake leaving their children unattended.

  5. People going up to SLLA member’s cabins and asking to use their bathrooms.

  6. Theft and damage to SLLA property.

  7. Trespassing on SLLA member’s properties to access the swimming area.

  8. Boaters and jet skiers cutting through the swimmer area.

  9. People bringing their pets and allowing them to run free on SLLA property.

Gino explained that they have reported the more blatant offenses to the Sheriff’s Office for enforcement but it is still frustrating to his association members. Gino and Steve agreed that there is not an easy solution to this situation. Lone Lake’s water usage is open to the public. They both agreed to approach our members and urge them to be respectful, thoughtful and not disruptive to other lake owner’s property, docks and swim areas.

Gino recommended that there would be less conflict if:

  1. Use the Lone Lake Public Beach and swimming area

  2. Anchor boats off from the buoyed swim area so not to interfere with boat traffic or blocking SLLA member’s access to their docks and/or swimming beach.

  3. Not bring in lawn chairs and other water sports equipment into the swimming area.

  4. Stay off of the sandy beach above the water line as this is private property.

  5. Have parent supervision of children using the swimming area.

Gino met with the Aitkin County Sheriff on June 17th to discuss solutions to the problem. This is the plan developed with the Sheriff:

Steven’s Lone Lake Association (SLLA) will develop a swimming area following state law, at the point, with no boats nor other water craft allowed. The SLLA will place white markers following state guidelines defining the swimming area adjacent to the point for swimming only. The swimming area shall not exceed 2500 square feet and remains public waters. The SLLA will set up temporary markers until permanent markers can be purchased and installed. The sheriff department will come out and verify all the work completed meets requirements for the swimming area.

Both presidents agreed to share these thoughts with the two associations and understand that cooperation is the best tool in resolving these types of issue on Lone Lake.


DNR advice to Help keep your lake AIS Free

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed a report of zebra mussels in Clear Lake, near Jenkins in Crow Wing County. (Near Pequot Lakes, 40 miles from Lone.) As fall heads our way, moving equipment from lake to lake is often part of the plan.

Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:

  • Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.

  • Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.

  • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

  • Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.

  • Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one water body to another.

These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:

Zebra mussels can compete with native species for food and habitat, cut the feet of swimmers, reduce the performance of boat motors, and cause expensive damage to water intake pipes.

People should contact a Minnesota DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if they think they have found zebra mussels or any other invasive species.

More information is available on the Aquatic Invasive Species page of the DNR website.

Save these reminders for use at anytime during the year. Your neighbors thank you.

2022 Annual Meeting

We had a wonderful turnout for the LLPOA meal and Annual Meeting 2022 with 55 members, family and friends attending. Stan Tekiela’s talk on ‘Backyard Birds’ was both educational and entertaining. Members asked for his contact information and it is www.naturesmart.com and he has over 200 books both for children and adult bird and animal reference books and audios for sale online. Also we would like to thank Mike and Natasha for the discount on the delicious hot dogs, brats and other items for our meal from Paulbeck’s Market.

At the meeting members re-elected: Linda Kics as Secretary, Bev Napurski as Website/Data Director, Linda Szymanski as AIS Team Leader, and Zint Kics as Fisheries & Wildlife Team Leader. Two positions remain open on the board for Director at Large and Surface Water Use Team Leader. Please contact me if you are interested in serving on the Board at sfrazierllpoa@gmail.com. Complete minutes of the meeting are attached below. Also discussed at the meeting were some issues that have developed involving Steven’s Point (north side of the narrows) swimming area that has prompted the Steven’s Point Association’s President Gino Perrozzi and LLPOA President Steve Frazier to make a joint statement to make the Steven’s Point Sand Bar a permitted swimming area but still public waters. We urge all lake residents to be good and considerate members.

To end the year there will be AIS Boat Inspections at the Public Access on Labor Day Weekend Sept. 2nd-5th and then the Fall Road Clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 12th. Thank you for your LLPOA Membership and to help enhance, protect and preserve the beauty of Lone Lake for the future.

Thanks to all for being good citizens of our lake community. We’ll see you on the lake.
Steve Frazier


What’s on the calendar?

July 4th

Enough rain and potential storms to cancel the parade. Better safe than sorry.

Hardy triathletes finish by starting early!

The Lone Lake Triathlon did start early and squeezed every drop of effort from the five contestants. Thanks to the VanSlooten family for their efforts to again organize the event. Participants included Matt VanSlooten, Hudson VanSlooten, Nic Erickson, Peter Maxwell and Dirk VanSlooten. (Soggy) hats off to all!


July 16 | 11:00 am

LLPOA Annual Meeting. The highlight is speaker Stan Tekiela sharing so much information about local birds. We again will meet at Preiner’s pole barn: 30353 Oak Avenue. No food to bring. One more year of everything for lunch provided, thanks to the delicious foods from Paulbeck’s County Market. For young children we will have a few bird and bat houses to build and take home. Please bring some leaded tackle items to exchange for items without the lead that harms so many lake area creatures. More info on the dangers of lead tackle.

Come meet new neighbors and reconnect with old friends at the 2022 Annual Meeting.


The LLPOA is looking for more board members. If you have the desire and a bit of time to help keep Lone Lake a high quality lake in Aitkin County and the entire state of MN, please email lonelakepoa@gmail.com or let us know of your interest at the meeting.

Bird photos……we need more please! Send them to lonelaepoa@gmail.com or post on Facebook. Thanks!


July 30

Lakeshore maintenance/upgrade workshop. Calling all those who have participated in previous events, those who have received benefits from this Aitkin County grant, and everyone concerned about maintaining their lakeshore with the ups and downs of water levels, winds, and wakes. Best to maintain what you have before it washes into the lake. What is willow wattle?

Our demonstration site is at the Prell cabin, lot 19, 38330 297th Lane. SE side of the lake. Learn about the best native plants to use to keep your lakeshore on the shore. The more the merrier. Thank you to all!


August 6

Aitkin Riverboat Days. Parade, rides, Dump Run, all class reunion and special events. Full schedule coming soon. Visit the city for fun.🎉

Does the DNR Report on the Upper Mississippi have bearing for area lakes?

A recent DNR Study shows both positive and negative trends. Check out #4 below. If cleaner water means fewer AIS issues In the Mississippi, is that what is helping Lone Lake?

How does this affect our water in the upper reaches of the Mississippi? A step down the road for Lone Lake or what can we learn? (Are we glad to be aLone?)

Status, trends report released on Upper Mississippi River System

Photo credit: Minnesota DNR

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and natural resources agencies in four other states, have released a report on the ecological status of the Upper Mississippi River.

This important report analyzes more than 25 years of data and will inform river management and investments in the coming years. The report includes information on water quality and aquatic vegetation, as well as fisheries data from six geographic study areas and select system-wide data.

The report includes information from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. The Status and Trends report is prepared by the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, which is a partnership of federal and state agencies, non-governmental organizations and individuals working together to support Upper Mississippi River System ecosystem rehabilitation, research and monitoring. Previous Status and Trends reports were released in 1998 and 2008.

“Upper Mississippi River Restoration program partners that produced this report are taking a proactive approach to changes in this globally significant river system,” DNR Deputy Commissioner Barb Naramore said. “The report provides essential analyses of the effects of changing hydrology, invasive species and many other factors.”

“The Status and Trends Report will inform and influence the work of many government agencies, nonprofits and other partners,” DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division District Manager Megan Moore said. “We are grateful to be a part of this partnership and the important guidance it produces.”

The report is available via the USGS Publications Warehouse at Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Key takeaways from this report that are relevant to Minnesota:

  1. The river is changing for a variety of reasons, but mostly as a result of changing hydrology and invasive species. The Upper Mississippi River System is a large and diverse ecosystem with many regional differences. Changes in the river are occurring differently and at different rates within the Upper Mississippi River System.

  2. There is more water in the river more of the time, with high flows lasting longer and occurring more frequently throughout the system. These trends are likely permanent changes to the river’s hydrology driven by land use changes and a shifting climate. Water flow is the primary driver affecting the quality and quantity of habitat.

  3. Floodplain forest loss has happened in nearly all the study areas, except south of St. Louis, Missouri, where locks are not in place. The forests may be responding to several interacting factors and environmental changes, including increasing flood inundation and invasive species.

  4. In Pool 4 (between Red Wing and Winona) and Pool 8 (near La Crosse, Wisconsin), water has become clearer and aquatic plants more abundant and diverse, which is improving habitat for fish and wildlife and leading to a decline in invasive fish species.

  5. Concentrations of nutrients, notably nitrogen and phosphorus, remain high, exceeding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency benchmarks and continuing to threaten aquatic life and water supplies along the Upper Mississippi River System. Total phosphorus concentrations have, however, declined in many of the studied river areas. Improvements to the Cannon River watershed significantly contributed to improved water quality in the Upper Mississippi River along the Minnesota border below the Cannon River confluence.

  6. The Upper Mississippi River System continues to support diverse and abundant fish populations. Economically and socially important recreational fish populations have increased in the northern portion of the Upper Mississippi River System. There have, however, been substantial declines in forage fish throughout the river network. Forage fish serve as important food for larger fishes and other animals. Invasive carp have thus far been unable to establish self-sustaining populations in Minnesota.

Information about related DNR partnerships is available on the Mississippi River Management page

MN DNR reminders for laws

and “MN nice” cabin and lake usage

Another year moves along. How many months of boat usage was that? Here in MN, we are fortunate to have our water “toys” available for 3-4-5 months. Very easily, in those other 7-8-9 months, to put the guidelines far back in our minds.

Reminders

  • Jet skis/personal watercraft-lake usage times set by MN law run from 9:30 a.m. until an hour before sunset. Lucky for us, sunset is about 9 p.m. right now, but days only getting shorter.

  • Those passengers under age 10 need to be wearing their life jacket-not just have it in the boat.

  • Boaters, please stay right when passing. Keep an eye out for others in the lake.

  • Big boats….stay in the middle of the lake to help preserve our shorelines from large wakes.

  • While the lake is all public waters, be kind to those on their dock, swimming near their property, or just relaxing lakeside. Choose to park your boat to swim or relax a polite distance from others.

  • Are you a night owl out fishing? Remember others may be trying to sleep. Your conversations carry well across the water, as does your motor noise. Be considerate for those sleeping in nearby cabins when you find that hot fishing spot.

  • How big is your wake? Own it! Remember smaller craft, including SUP, paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, sail boats, water skiers, wake boarders, knee boarders, tubers and swimmers cannot change their coarse to get out of your large wake trailing behind you. Your boating affects more than just your boat location.

  • Enjoying another lake with your watercraft? Please make sure to clean it off, even stopping first to use the machine at Spirit Lake public landing (off of CR 28 on weekends) to spray with water to remove any possible AIS (invasive species) before returning to Lone Lake. Many area lakes have zebra mussels and other assorted invasive species, Farm Island and Mille Lacs included.

Thank you in advance for keeping everyone safe on Lone Lake.

Our fine feathered friends

Apps to help with BIRD identification

This bird doesn’t need help being identified. Photo by Lori Wolden | Lori’s Eye. Owner on Lone Lake.

Ever wonder what birds you hear while enjoying precious time relaxing at the cabin? Attached are two apps which help to identify birds based on photos or just listening to their bird songs. These apps are sponsored by Cornell University, specifically The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society.. The data collected is used by the university to further track bird migrations and gather data on the birds locations.

Here is a link to the website on the Merlin App which can be used to identify birds based photos or the bird call. There is a video on how the app works at the below website with links to download.

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/

The second app is ebird. This is better suited to the more serious bird watchers on the lake. There is also a video explaining how the app works and the data is used.

https://ebird.org/home

Share with us on an email to lonelakepoa@gmail.com some information on what birds you have identified here at the lake.

Also hoping your photographic expertise for birds can be added to our annual meeting. Send us your bird photos by July 8 to be included in our annual meeting display. Thanks!