08/23/2026
August 18,2026
Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Winter Town Hall
Public Information Meeting
Aquatic Plant Management Plans
Presented by: Natalie Kanters and Megan Sorensen (Sawyer County & Regional Planning Partners)
Purpose of Meeting
The public meeting was held to review the draft Aquatic Plant Management Plans for:
Barber Lake / South Barber Lake
Lake Loretta
The plans are the result of a two-year grant project that included:
Water quality monitoring
Secchi disk readings
Aquatic plant surveys
Data collection to establish baseline lake conditions
The final plans are intended to serve as five-year management guides and provide a framework for future grant applications, permit requests, and lake management activities.
Plan Structure: The aquatic plant management plans are divided into three sections:
Part 1 – Background Information
Includes:
Lake characteristics
Water quality data
Fishery information
Aquatic plant survey results
Historical lake data
Part 2 – Management Options
Reviews:
Available invasive species management methods
Mechanical harvesting
Hand pulling
Diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH)
Herbicide options (where applicable)
Monitoring and education strategies
Part 3 – Goals and Objectives
Provides specific actions to guide lake management efforts over the next five years.
Goal 1:
Monitor and Manage Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Objective 1
onduct volunteer monitoring surveys to track Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM), Curly Leaf Pondw**d (CLP), and other aquatic invasive species.
Train volunteers to identify invasive species.
Continue AIS monitoring and reporting.
Objective 2
Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
Utilize a combination of:
Monitoring
Education
Hand pulling
DASH
Mechanical harvesting
Herbicide treatments (when appropriate)
Notes
South Barber Lake currently has no documented Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Barber Lake contains Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Lake Loretta contains Curly Leaf Pondw**d.
Mechanical harvesting is considered a potential option for Lake Loretta.
Hand pulling does not require a permit and can be performed by lake property owners.
Goal 2:
Protect and Enhance Native Aquatic Plant Communities
Objective 1
Regularly assess native aquatic plant populations through future point-intercept surveys.
Recommended survey frequency is every five years.
Objective 2
Continue water quality monitoring through:
Secchi disk readings
Water sampling
Phosphorus monitoring
Nitrogen monitoring
Chlorophyll measurements
Discussion
Native aquatic plants are essential for:
Fish habitat
Water quality
Water clarity
Overall ecosystem health
Maintaining healthy native plant populations improves future grant and permit opportunities.
Existing volunteer monitoring efforts on Barber and Loretta Lakes will continue.
Goal 3:
Education and Community Engagement
Objective 1
Increase public awareness of aquatic invasive species.
Provide training opportunities.
Expand educational outreach.
Objective 2
Foster long-term volunteer involvement.
Encourage community participation in lake stewardship activities.
Examples Discussed
Clean Boats Clean Waters Program
Educational workshops
Improved boat landing signage
Volunteer monitoring teams
Invasive Species Reporting Process
If a new invasive species is discovered:
Document location and extent.
Take photographs.
Record GPS coordinates if available.
Contact:
Sawyer County AIS Coordinator
Wisconsin DNR
Winter Lakes Alliance representatives
Submit a DNR Incident Report.
The group discussed the state's Early Detection and Response Grants, which may be available when new invasive species are identified.
Public Discussion Highlights
Aquatic Invasive Species
Questions were raised regarding:
Eurasian Watermilfoil identification
Curly Leaf Pondw**d spread
Purple Loosestrife management
Monitoring smaller lakes in the area
Lake Winter
Curly Leaf Pondw**d remains the primary known invasive plant species.
Water Quality
Discussion focused on:
Phosphorus sources
Fertilizer runoff
Shoreline development impacts
Long-term monitoring importance
Blue-Green Algae
Presenters explained:
Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) is fueled by:
Excess phosphorus
Warm water temperatures
Risks include:
Harmful toxins to pets
Potential respiratory and digestive impacts
Recommended prevention measures:
Reduce shoreline fertilizer use
Maintain native shoreline vegetation
Properly dispose of pet waste
Minimize yard debris entering the lake
Public Meeting Conclusion
The draft plans will be finalized following public comment and DNR review.
Copies of both plans will be made available on the Winter Lakes Alliance website.
Winter Lakes Alliance Regular Monthly Meeting
Meeting Was Called to Order
The August meeting was called to order following the public informational meeting.
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Secretary Report Was Read and Accepted
The July Secretary Report/Meeting Minutes were emailed to members on July 15, 2026.
No corrections were noted, and the report was accepted as presented.
Treasurer Report
Expenses
Printing/Ink
Winter Coop
Sawyer County Gazette
Post Office Box
Water and supplies for Kids Fishing Event
Deposits
Fish stocking donations
Membership dues
Raffle ticket sales
Ski Hill donation
Tips from Kids Fishing Event concession stand
Financial Discussion
The Association continues to explore Certificate of Deposit (CD) options for reserve funds.
Treasurer's Report was accepted as read.
Old Business
Walleye Stocking Program
Silver Moon Springs Hatchery will supply walleye fingerlings.
Fish are reportedly healthy and progressing well.
Required health inspections are expected in September.
Upon receipt of health certifications:
DNR permits will be completed.
Stocking plans for participating lakes will be finalized.
Aquatic Plant Management Plans
The public presentation served as the primary update on the five-year aquatic plant management project.
Plans will be submitted to the Wisconsin DNR for final approval.
New Business
Annual Picnic
Date: September 12, 2026
Location: Doc Smith Park
Time: Noon
Annual raffle drawing will be held.
Remaining raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Pat's Landing Fundraiser
Meat Bingo Fundraiser
Date: September 14, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Pat's Landing selected Winter Lakes Alliance as a fundraising recipient.
Funds raised will support:
Fish stocking
Kids Fishing Event
Christmas Store Program
Lake Updates
Loon Report
Barber Lake
One loon chick successfully survived the Fourth of July weekend.
Chick continues to grow and appears healthy.
Bluegill Lake
Members reported loon activity.
Other Lakes
Additional loon sightings were reported.
Several transient loon groups were observed on area lakes.
Water Levels
Members reported:
Low water levels across area lakes.
Ongoing drought conditions.
Significant need for rainfall throughout the region.
Member Discussion
Lake Loretta Curly Leaf Pondw**d
Members expressed concerns regarding:
Limited management options available.
Cost of future mechanical harvesting.
Grant availability and matching requirements.
Discussion emphasized:
The approved management plan is a necessary first step before future management actions can be pursued.
Lake Loretta Stocking Funds
Members discussed previously allocated county funding intended for fish stocking after the Lake Loretta drawdown.
Questions were raised regarding:
Current status of those funds.
Potential future availability.
Members were encouraged to contact Sawyer County and DNR representatives for additional information.
Next Meeting
Date: September 8, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM
Location: Winter Town Hall
Adjourn
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Brendel – WLA Secretary
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