We are all concerned with the lake level on North Sand Lake. Hopefully this will help to explain why we are experiencing this problem.
The cumulative effects of several years of drought across northern Wisconsin are manifesting as lower lake levels. Some lakes are at 70 year lows. While lake levels are often cyclical, and fluctuate between periods of higher and lower water levels, scientists think the current low water cycle is longer than cycles of the past.
But are low water levels the result of prolonged drought or the first indications of a changing climate?
Possibly both. Less rainfall has fallen over the last four years, but recent statistical modeling indicates the northern quarter of the state has actually received 15-20% less rain since the 1950's.
But climate change models have also predicted lower lake levels in the Upper Midwest as a combination of potentially shifting weather systems might result in higher temperatures, lower precipitation and greater evaporation-the combination of which could cause water levels to drop.
Lakes that rely on groundwater (like North Sand Lake) for all or part of their water source (seepage and spring lakes) are the most sensitive to changes in precipitation, and the most likely to experience changes in water levels.
As for the question, should people be pumping water from the lake for watering their lawns and gardens?
After talking to the DNR Watershed specialist, he indicated that it is legal to pump water from the lake, unless, of course, you are watering large agricultural areas or a golf course. Then you must have a permit to do this.
Whether you use water from the lake or your well you are still drawing water from the water table, so there is no difference. As for the rumor that the DNR made a sweep of Birch Island Lake to make people stop using pumps, this did not happen.
So bring on the rain, hope that the windy days are behind us (evaporation) and that the winter is a snowy one.
From a DNR weekly news article~June 2, 2009
Catch-and-release has caught on so big in the bass fishing world that Wisconsin anglers are only keeping about 5% of what they catch.
They kept only 550,000 of the 10 million small mouth and largemouth bass they caught in 2006 according to a mail survey of anglers, in contrast, Wisconsin anglers in the same year kept about 30% of the walleye they caught, or 2.2 million of 7 million caught.
In some places in northern Wisconsin bass are very abundant and can make a tasty meal. Fisheries managers are encouraging harvest on these waters to keep the numbers in balance and improve bass growth rates. As always, larger bass are less common and anglers should consider releasing them.
"No one should feel bad about harvesting largemouth bass in northwest Wisconsin, says DNR fisheries biologist Larry Damman, who is stationed in Spooner. "They are our most abundant and under-utilized, naturally reproducing game fish. High minimum limits coupled with angler catch and release ethic have reulted in many lakes with an over abundant, stunted populations where few largemouth ever reach legal size. The biological need is to harvest fish less than the present minimum size limit..
There are many who think that the largemouth bass is not good eating, but from a deep lake like North Sand Lake, they are delicious.
Here is a recipe that we use, not only for bass but for walleye, as well.
FRIED BASS
8 fresh bass fillets, about 8-12 ounces.
1 1/2 cups flour
1 t. salt
1 t. black pepper
1 t. paprika
2 eggs
1/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. crushed crackers, dried potato flakes, seasoned bread crumbs or corn flake crumbs
2 c. cooking oil
1.Set up three pans to dip the fish in. In the first pan, mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika. In second pan, beat eggs and water util frothy. In the third pan, place crumb mixture of choice.
2. Dredge fish fillet in seasoned flour and shake off excess. Dip coated fished in egg wash on both sides. Let excess egg drain off before dipping in the crumb mixture.
3. Heat oil in pan and cook fish a few fillets at a time until golden brown on each side. Let the oil warm up before frying next batch. Drain fillets on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedge, malt vinegar or tartar sauce. If frying a big batch keep fish warm in a 250 degree oven.
These are lake rich counties in northwestern Wisconsin with 12% of the state's 4,151 largemouth bass lakes. Relatively few lakes here have smallmouth, walleye or muskies populations. Largemouth abundance has increased under size limits, but angler complaints of poor size quality have become a major issue. There has been a very substantial decline in the largemouth growth rates which has resulted in poor size structure.
The declining growth affected all types of lakes regardless of size or fertility. 83% of area lakes exceeeded the 14 inches by age 6 growth criteria in the Wisconsin Administrative Code before size limits but only 9% do now. Because growth has slowed the maximum size largemouth bass can reach in a life span is reduced. Prior to size limits regulations(1989), 42% of lakes met the state strategic goal. The state has establlished a goal of 30% of the bass stock being treater than or equal to 14 inches in fall surveys. On average, the decline in the percentage of legal bass was proportionally greater than the increases in total abundance. That means, today, that many lakes have fewer bass greater than 14 inches than before size limit protection. This is in spite of having many more bass in our lakes.
BASS SIZE LIMIT MAY CHANGE AS RESULT OF VOTE
One of the many questions at this year's advisory hearings was a question asking for the bass size limit in Burnett County to be changed to "no size limit". The question was put on the ballot at the request of Burnett County Citizens. The question was asked of all people present at hearings throughout the state on April 13, 2009. The result of the statewide vote on this question was 2316 in favor of no size limit on bass in Burnett County and 1354 opposed. 62 out of 72 counties passed the question.
The question will now go to the full Conservation Congress for a vote. If passed, then the question will go to the Conservation Congress Executive Board for a vote. If passed, the rule will be included in the 2010 fishing regulations.