Join the Fun! When will the Ice go Out on Long Lake this Year?

 

February proved to be a fickle month this year. Temperatures were jumping all over the place with readings from the negative range clear up to 48 degrees.  Right now we need to think positively about Spring.  So what date do you think the ice will be off the lake?  For those of you who are into research, check out our ICE DATA tab on the longlakeliving website.  It might help with your decision.  If Ice Out is later than May 22 or earlier than March 19, that may mean we are seeing some climate change effects.  Is this year more like 2012 or 1996? 

To participate in the fun please send your guess to longlakeliving@gmail.com.  The deadline for your submission is March 15.  Those who select the winning date will be recognized on the website and at the Annual Meeting (Saturday, June 24, 2023).  All participants in the contest will be placed in a drawing and one person will be chosen to receive a prize which will be awarded at the LLAA Annual Meeting on Saturday morning, June 24, 2023.  Good Luck to all!

Thoughts on Your Lake Shore

Hello everyone!

It's only February, and if you are already having botanical thoughts regarding your lake shore here are three things to consider:

 

1) Score YOUR Shore:

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a great program called “Score your Shore.” https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/scoreyourshore/index.html

It provides information on best practices for managing your lot and a method for scoring your property based on those practices, and suggestions on things you could do to improve water quality

2)  Say Hi to a Shoreland Advisor:

Another option would be a visit from one of the Long Lake Shoreland Advisors.  Some of your lake friendly neighbors are available to stop by your property and offer up recommendations on healthy lake practices.  Email hccolamn@gmail.com to invite a visit with a Shoreland Advisor as part of the Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations complimentary program.

3)  Chat with a Master Gardener:

As a University of MN Master Gardener, I am available to opine on lots of lake related topics:  invasive species, native plants, pruning, erosion control, rain gardens, etc.  I can be reached at: manlove.keith@gmail.com

Spring will be here soon.  It's never too early to start planning improvements for your property that will benefit the lake!

Keith
LLAA Board Member from Neighbor 2

Share Your Time & Talent in 2023!

The Long Lake Area Association (Hubbard County) Inc. is reaching out to our varied and multiple talented members in order to get more people involved in our activities. Our goals are to build our lake community through education and action.

As you review the variety of volunteer opportunities attached, please reach out if you have questions or want to help for a day or month or season by emailing longlakeliving@gmail.com.  Choose to participate as a sampler and explore new dimensions and aspects related to our special Long Lake.

Volunteer opportunity descriptions

Photo by Dante Beretta

Official Ice In date for Long Lake

 

This was taken 12/12/2022 just south of Breezy Point. 

 

 Hi All interested in our MN Lakes' "Ice-In" date for our specific lake,

We have declared the official "Ice-In" on Long Lake (Hubbard County), Lake ID: 29016100 near Park Rapids, MN for Saturday, December 17, 2022.

The ice spotters have all checked in.  The waterfowl that had been keeping 2 spots on the lake open, could not compete with the colder weather on Sat 12/17/2022.  With the frigid weather now, there is not a chance it will open back up again any time soon.  FYI Ice In last year was Dec. 21st.

Fall Reminders from your Association

 

With Labor Day weekend here we are all thinking of Fall. Many families are already taking boats, docks, lifts, and other toys out of the water.  Here are some items to remember:

• If you hire a lake service provider (LSP) to take out your docks, lifts, and/or boats remember to ask if they are MN DNR certified.  The MN DNR maintains a list of certified LSPs for Hubbard County.  Follow this link and scroll down until you see "Park Rapids”: MN DNR List of Dock Service Providers, Hubbard County  (this link loads slowly)
  
  
•  If you have a zebra mussel settlement sampler (PVC tube, cinder block, plates, etc), please check it one last time and fill out the “Eyes on the Water Survey” even if you do not find any AIS.  An “absence” report is important.  Clean the sampler and reinstall next spring.   Hubbard County COLA Eyes on the Water for Healthy Lakes
  
  
• Inspect your own docks, lifts, rafts, boats for zebra mussels and any other AIS as you remove them from the water. Make sure to look in areas that have been in the shade under water like the backside of dock tires, for example. Include your findings on the equipment as you complete the “Eyes on the Water Survey”.  An “absence” report is important too.  (see link above)
  
  
• If you find suspected zebra mussels (ZM) and/or would like a second opinion as you inspect your own docks and lifts on your shoreline, contact one of our certified AIS detectors:  Sharon Natzel, 763-355-7908, sharonmnatzel@gmail.com  or  Jim Blodgett, 651-395-9317, jblodget@iusb.edu .  This information is needed for our ZM pilot with the Univ of Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC).
   
  
• It is illegal to transport AIS (zebra mussels, etc) on a road.  This guide for shore-land owners helps explain when a permit is needed to transport boats/equipment with attached AIS like zebra mussels. This also helps address storing lifts, docks and watercraft for winter.  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/shoreland_owners.html