Lake Kanasatka Watershed Association

06/17/2026

06/15/2026

A couple of things prompted me to write this post.

I found this 6" fishing lure embedded in the surface of my dock. It took pliers to dislodge the 3 treble hooks. Glad no one stepped on any of the 9 barbs. How did it get there? I am guessing someone fishing from a boat misjudged their cast as they were trying to attract fish possibly hiding under my dock or boat. Casting around swim rafts is also a common practice. Please check your swim rafts for lures and hooks frequently.

I understand things like this can happen, but why not come to my dock and retrieve the lure, instead of yanking on the fishing line until it snaps? Now, that person's fishing line is highly compromised and is vulnerable
to snapping at any time.

Second - An incident was reported yesterday where a fisherman accidentally
hooked the leg of a large snapping turtle, near a dock. This is an angler's nightmare.
The turtle broke the fishing line AND the end of the fishing rod. Hopefully the broken piece of rod dropped to the lake bottom as the line slid through the eyelet(s). But, now we have a turtle with a fish hook in its leg, and an unknown amount of fishing line trailing behind. Hooking the turtle was no one's fault. My nephew hooked a very big one near Kilnwood some years back. Strong fishing line and a controlled retrieve made it possible to bring the turtle to the boat, so the line could be cut, very close to the hook. It is too dangerous to try and do more than that. Fishing hooks are designed to eventually rust away.

I'll end this post with a few helpful tips about maintaining strong fishing line, so
unnecessary breakages are less likely to happen and aquatic wildlife are not harmed.
We all know that sinking feeling when a line snaps with a lunker on the hook, and we wonder if the fish will survive.

Store your fishing line and rods in a cool, shady place. Heat and UV rays break down the line. Run the first 6' of line between your fingers and feel for roughness. Cut away damaged line. Examine the eyelets of your fishing rods for roughness. Minerals build up on eyelets and can be cleaned. Check the date code on your spools of fishing line, as illustrated in the second picture. Aged line is weaker.

There are lots more line tips you can read about online. We are all in this together. Kevin

06/13/2026

Donated 8'x10' swim float or floating dock section available for sale. As is condition. I have not had time to view it first hand.

Best offer. All proceeds go to LKWA.
If interested, please email Kevin at [email protected].
Raft is located at the west end of the lake. Thanks.
Kevin

06/13/2026

The top photo shows Paugus Bay at Weirs Beach in New Hampshire around 1906. This channel is where water flows out of Lake Winnipesaukee, into Paugus Bay, and then eventually to the Merrimack River. Originally, Paugus Bay was at a slightly lower elevation, and the channel was used by Native Americans for fishing. They built stone weirs in a “W” shape across the channel to catch shad as they migrated from Winnipesaukee toward the ocean. However, by the 19th century a dam was built in Lakeport, which raised Paugus Bay to the same level as Lake Winnipesaukee and flooded the old weirs. Later on, the channel was dredged to allow navigation, effectively making Paugus Bay a part of Lake Winnipesaukee.

When the top photo was taken, this area was a popular tourist destination, and that has only increased over the years. As seen in the two photos, the waterfront has become significantly more developed, especially on the right-hand side of the channel, which is now occupied by a number of boathouses. I’m not sure if any of the buildings from 1906 are still around today; the ones on the left are clearly gone, but some of the boathouses in the distance on the right might survive, although it is hard to tell.

Historic image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Company collection.

06/12/2026

Today might be a good day to "stand in the rain" and watch for runoff on/from your property to the lake. Indications are that we still have much work to do to keep runoff from entering Kanasatka. If the storms come later, don that rain gear and get out there. "You won't melt" as Mom used to say.

06/12/2026

Apparently the loons have subleased part of their raft!

Screenshot courtesy of Chris Wallace.

06/11/2026

Goldenrods are considered keystone plants. They rank at the top of the list among all native perennials for their value to pollinators. There are more than fifteen types of goldenrod that are native to New Hampshire. And no, goldenrod is not the culprit when it comes to allergies--that's ragweed, a completely different plant.

Among the goldenrods is Solidago canadensis, or Canada goldenrod. This is one of the tallest of the goldenrods, topping out at about 5-6'. Native plants, by definition, cannot be invasive, but they can be aggressive. Canada goldenrod is an aggressive spreader by underground rhizomes. It is a plant that makes a statement in the landscape and it can send up multiple new shoots in just one season. Its extensive roots make it excellent at erosion control.

It is too big and rowdy for a typical flower garden. But, if anyone has a big space and is trying to establish a wildflower meadow, this might be the perfect plant. I have two pots with multiple rootlets to give away if anyone can use them. Please let me know in the comments if you are interested and we can switch over to private message to arrange pickup.

Here is a photo from my Massachusetts garden, where Canada goldenrod is flopping over on the left and more upright to the right. I have learned to stake it, but I just can't keep up with how quickly it spreads! Hence the hunt for a new home that has more space.

Judy Stoessel

06/11/2026

Our University of New Hampshire friends were on Lake Kanasatka today, sampling the three regular locations, plus a fourth location that has been added to our testing program. Doctor Amanda McQuaid brought three interns, and Laura Diemer from FB Environmental brought her new underwater camera. The scenery around the lake today was beautiful. Sampling was followed by pizza and salad, compliments of Sandra. After lunch, Amanda and her interns headed off to sample Wakondah Pond. It was a fun and educational day.
Kevin

06/11/2026

Although the initial 24-hour blitz has ended, the NH Gives platform is still open to additional donations! If you missed the first 24 hours and wish to add to our success, go here:
https://www.nhgives.org/organization/lake-kanasatka-watershed-association-inc

06/11/2026