LLAA October Newsletter:

 

Long Laker’s Encourage Membership in LLAA

By Deanna Frazier

Long Lake is home to hundreds of summer and permanent residents, who not only enjoy “lake life” but also share a a commitment to preserve the lake environment for the future. From short-timers to long-timers to everyone in between, membership in our Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) is paramount to the organization’s conservation efforts, especially educating lake residents about Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and ways to minimize their effect on Long Lake.


“I appreciate the work being done on aquatic vegetation, lake conservation, and combating invasive species to keep our lake beautiful for future generations,” explained JoAnn Manlove, who is not only a 53-year resident on Long Lake, but a third-generation family to the lake as well.


Ken Retzer, a Long Laker since 2007, echoed Manlove’s sentiment. The LLAA’s conservation and education efforts are key, Retzer said, “to ensure Long Lake is healthy for decades to come and for future generations.”


Though they are very new to Long Lake and the Association (June, 2024), Steve and Anne Skoe agree the LLAA makes a vital contribution to life on Long Lake. Feeling it was the least they could do to join the Association, they joined immediately upon receiving the LLAA packet to encourage those who are helping the lake. The more people that can volunteer to help, the less work for each person in the group, they explained, adding, “It takes a village to keep a lake healthy.”


And a healthy lake makes it possible for family memories to be made on Long Lake, explained Manlove, like beautiful sunsets on the dock, boat rides, and the Fourth of July Flotilla. She also described how relaxing it is to just be around the water, watching all the birds and animals, especially the bears, “as long as I’m in my house,” she chided.

Making memories shapes life on Long Lake for Retzer as well. “All the family gatherings that have made many happy memories,” are what he remembers most about life on Long Lake. The Skoe’s may be new to the lake, but they are not new to the area. Steve grew up in Park Rapids during the 1960s, his family owning the old Park Drug, where Walgreen’s stands today. They look forward to getting to know their new neighbors and participating in LLAA activities next summer. 


In a parting word, Manlove encouraged Long Lake residents to join LLAA. “If they want their families to enjoy lake life into the future,” Manlove explained, “they need to support the organization which has their backing!”


Click here to join the LLAA:  If you have questions about joining LLAA, email office@longlakeliving.org
 

If you did not receive our latest monthly newsletter, check your spam folder. If its not there, let us know you would like to be added to our email list.  office@longlakeliving.org

Our Starry Stonewort mitigation journey continues

These first pictures were taken by Jeff Martin on August 13th during the latest chemical treatment application to tackle the starry stonewort that has been found at the south access. PLM Lake and Land Management Corp. used a lake safe chemical for treating the area that starry stonewort was found. The underwater photo was taken by Sharon Natzel.

More details will be in our newsletter coming out later this week. 

Thank you to the Long Lake Area Association Foundation's fund raising efforts. These efforts allowed us to quickly pay for the needed expertise and tools to "fight this battle". 

photo of burlap covering starry stonewort taken by Sharon Natzel

Volunteers Needed: Fall Roadside Clean Up

Ready to help with the annual fall roadside cleanup of County Road 20? 

Join Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) members, friends and families on 

Saturday, Sept.14,2024 at 2:00 p.m.

This seven-mile cleanup comes at an important time of the year. It allows us to collect debris before the fall winds blow it into the lake prior to winter.

Where to Meet 

Gather on the gravel road (130 th street) by the tree farm where Hwy. 87 and Cty.
Road 20 meet (near Hubbard) and receive supplies and instructions.
NOTE: Hwy. 87 road construction continues. Use an alternate route if need be.

How to Sign Up to Help on Sept. 20th

Email volunteer@longlakeliving.org with your name and number of people.

How to Request an Alternate Date 

Email volunteer@longlakeliving.org;  to request a section for you to clean on your preferred date.

Thank you for your continued support in helping to preserve Long Lake!

LLAA Fisheries Committee Update

by Charlie Garr (published in the LLAA Spring Newsletter)

The LLAA Fisheries Committee was formed as a team in 2022 with the purpose of monitoring the overall Long Lake fishery and to build a relationship with the DNR Park Rapids area fisheries. One objective the LLAA team identified early on was to work with the local DNR to increase walleye stocking levels in Long Lake. In the fall of 2023, LLAA was awarded conditional approval to supplement walleye stocking in Long Lake, starting in the fall of 2024. This a big win for those that like to fish for walleye in Long Lake.

Stocking more walleye in Long Lake became one of the objectives for several reasons, a few of which follow.

Long Lake Can Sustain A Higher Level of Walleye Stocking

• The current “one size fits all” DNR fisheries stocking approach of walleye fingerling at 1 pound per littoral acre with no deviation does not optimize the overall walleye fishing on Long Lake. This lake can sustain a higher level of walleye stocking.

• DNR staff indicates that natural reproduction in Long Lake is insignificant; 95% or more of its walleye result from stocking. The LLAA depends on the DNR to stock the lake.

• Long Lake is truly a put and take fishery. Long Lake is a very densely populated lake that receives above average fishing pressure for area lakes. The default 1 pound per littoral acre stocking rate is not enough to keep up with the level of fishing pressure Long Lake experiences.

• Starting in 2016, DNR fisheries stocking levels were reduced in MN. So Long Lake began to again receive less walleye; 485 pounds every other year, down from the 935 pounds that had been stocked from 2006 to 2014. All lakes in the area that were stocked with fingerlings were being stocked at the same rate (one pound per littoral acre.) Only 24% of Long Lake is littoral acres (less than 15 feet deep) so credit for deep water was never granted. For comparison, at one pound per littoral acre, small Blueberry Lake near Menahga received more pounds of walleye stock than did Long Lake.

  Reduction in Fishing Success

• The collective experience of LLAA’s members who fish on Long Lake, day after day, all year long, year after year, is a valuable metric and very important. A widespread group – from casual anglers to retired folks that fish every day to guides that frequent the lake – shared that fishing was better in the years following the higher stocking rates.

• Slower walleye fishing has been noticeable for the last three seasons which roughly correlate with fish from the last higher stocking year of 2014 working their way out of the system. No evidence was observed of walleyes starving to death or baitfish being eliminated when the lake was stocked at the two pounds per littoral acre.

  Efforts With the DNR

  In addition to this reduction in angler fishing success, the LLAA fisheries team also wanted to consider the DNR’s every five-year fisheries survey
  The DNR survey metric from their 2019 survey of Long was 4.73 CPUE (catch per unit effort). This was lower than any other recent survey, a result that means fewer fish were sampled. The CPUE metric can help measure trends in fish populations. The LLAA fisheries team looks forward to the findings of the DNR’s survey of Long Lake this summer.

  With this and much other analysis in mind, we began working with the DNR to find a way to increase walleye stocking in Long Lake. The DNR stocks walleye in Long Lake in even numbered years so in the fall of 2024 when the DNR stocks the usual 485 pounds of walleye fingerlings, the lake association/ foundation will provide for the stocking of an additional 240 pounds of walleye fingerlings. The plan is that our conditional supplemental walleye stocking will be repeated in the fall of 2026 and the fall of 2028. During the summer of 2029 Long Lake is scheduled again for the DNR’s every fifth-year DNR fish survey, at which point the walleye stocking plan will be reviewed again by the DNR fisheries. Our expectation is that these higher walleye stocking levels will continue in 2030 and beyond.

LLAA Fisheries Committee Cont’d

Costs and Funding

The funding mechanism to pay for the supplemental 240 pounds of walleye fingerlings every other year will be through the Long Lake Area Association Foundation, This Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Donations are tax exempt. Donate here.

Current cost estimates for walleye fingerlings are about $21 per pound with a pound containing roughly 15 to 25 fingerlings, five to seven inches long. Walleye fingerlings cost a little over one dollar each at 20 per pound. The fish will cost about $5,000 plus delivery in fall of 2024. The fisheries team expects some future inflation. Estimated walleye stocking expenses are $5,000 for 2024 and $6,000 for 2026 and 2028 – a total commitment of about $17,000 - $20,000.

The LLAA has also been stocking some perch in the spring and fall, based on DNR concerns about a low food forage base for walleyes in Long Lake. The LLAA has completed stocking perch in spring of 2024 at a cost of about $1,200. Perch stocking will be re-evaluated once the summer of 2024 DNR fish survey data is available. See LLAA Fisheries walleye info summary and guidance by fish species.

Everybody needs to be patient with this process; it will take years to see results. DNR data on walleye growth rates in Long Lake indicate that fingerling walleyes will grow about three or four inches per year. With best case conditions it will be 2027 before some of the fish stocked in 2024 will reach the length of 14 inches, considered the minimum keeper size for walleye. We need to stick with the plan for several years before we see better walleye fishing.

Thank you for your feedback

The Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) sends a special thank you to the more than 200 participants who took our Survey this summer.  The survey link was sent to over 380 Long Lake property owners that had email addresses on file with us.

That is about a 55% return. We appreciate your time to give us the feedback our Board needs to make decisions on your behalf. 

Those that participated in the survey were offered a chance to be part of a drawing to win one of four $25 gift cards.  The following participants were drawn at random on July 23, 2024, from those who responded to the survey. 

• Al and Becky Dohrmann of Neighborhood 1
• Keith Manlove from Neighborhood 2
• Mark and Luanne Hirschel from Neighborhood 3
• Marty and Charlotte Peterson from Neighborhood 6 

The data gathered from the survey is being analyzed and our goal is to have a report to the membership by mid Fall of 2024. 

Tips for Families with Four-Legged Friends

by Pam Petersen 

Many of us do bring our four-legged friends with us to the lake whether for the weekend, the summer or the year. Having them here should be pleasurable both for their owners and for other lake residents and guests. Sometimes, however, that’s not the case.

Although you know your dog’s personality around other people, children, or other animals, the people and animals you may encounter out walking do not know your pet. They may have had previous uncomfortable or even dangerous encounters with animals and are not reassured by your saying, ‘He’s a nice dog.’ There is also the possibility of your pet being ‘spooked’ by a vehicle, animal or even a child, a situation which can make your ‘always well behaved’ pet feel the need to defend itself or you.

And, of course, you might feel threatened by someone else’s dog. There are both legal and common- sense considerations about having a dog leashed or not, whether on its owner’s property or on the common roads. It is important, if you feel that someone is not properly controlling and restraining their dog, your first attempt at remedying the situation is to talk with the owner. A civil expression of your concerns, especially if there are specific incidents that you can relate, will help in coming to an agreement that both parties feel comfortable with. If the situation cannot be resolved in a neighborly manner, then there is a specific order of formal complaint spelled out in the Hubbard County Animal Ordinance. Click here for a link to the Hubbard County Animal Ordinance

Our pets are members of our families and our community. Let’s work together to make their presence at the lake be pleasant, safe and enjoyable for everyone!

Thank you to all who participated in the LLAA 2024 Flotilla

 

The weather report was threatening all week, but on the 4th the sky seemed to clear at 3.  So the Flotilla was on!  Many families motored over to New Frontier Resort to gather for the start of the Flotilla at 4 pm.  One group went north with Jim Seifert as their leader and others followed Fritz Viner going south along the eastern shore. (We thought we would change the route so the east side got to see the flotilla first)  It was about 4:40 when the flotilla passed by my cabin on west side at Chippewa Loop. I took what pictures I could get.  Jim Seifert took pictures and Mary Johnston took pictures of her family decorating their boat. I combined these in a "movie" for all to enjoy. (Narrative by CC White)

If you have suggestions on how to improve future flotillas email us at longlakeliving@gmail.com.  

See the all the pictures on YouTube

Missed our Guest speaker at the Annual Meeting?

Did you miss our Annual meeting on Saturday?  

Catch up with this blog: 

Use the links to view the video of Nicole Kovar's talk "What's at the end of my dock?"  and the pdf of her slides. There are some great graphics to help understand how useful these "weeds'" are to our lake.The other link is to the slides used as a report to the membership.

Link to YouTube Nicole's video

View Nicole's PowerPointSlide as pdf

Review your LLAA 2024-25 Board of Directors

Other  Door Prizes Winners:

From LLAA: Gift Card to Hilltop Inn ($40): Mae Tinguely

From LLAA: Gift Card to Hafner’s Greenhouse ($30): Jack Derr

From LLAA: Gift Card to Silver Star Saloon ($30): John Hansell

From Ron Taggart: Wooden Bucket he made: Arthur Howell

LLAA is seeking volunteers to help on the various committees for the next year. Put your talents and skills to use protecting our lake:  The committee descriptions are in the slides and listed on the volunteer sheet: ( PDF of volunteer sheet.) 

Download the form and send it to longlakeliving@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message from LLAA President Jaimie Beretta

 

Greetings from beautiful Long Lake. I hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the lake this season. I am writing to let you know about an exciting survey project that the Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) is launching.

Tomorrow you'll receive an email inviting you to complete an online survey regarding your perceptions about the quality and health of Long Lake and the ways that you enjoy Long Lake. It also includes questions about your perceptions of the Long Lake Area Association (LLAA) and the work of its leaders and committees as well as some information about what you enjoy doing at the lake and your understanding of topics like aquatic invasive species (AIS).

We ask you to complete the survey you will receive from Caren Martin, of Martin and Guerin Design Research, LLC. If you have any questions about the content of the survey, please contact Caren Martin, PhD, at caren@mgdesignresearch.com. Please note that you will see a University of Minnesota banner on the survey. That is because Dr. Martin conducts research through the UMN. If you have any questions about why the LLAA is conducting this survey of property owners, please reach out to me at longlakeliving@gmail.com. 

The information you provide will be used by the LLAA to inform its future plans to enhance and safeguard the quality and health of Long Lake. We are eager to hear from you. Thanks so much for your cooperation!

Sincerely,

Jaimie Beretta

President, Long Lake Area Association

Annual Meeting Details: June 29th

 

June is upon us and it’s time to start thinking about the Long Lake Area Association Annual meeting.  This year’s meeting will be held on Saturday June 29th at the Hubbard Community Center.

 

Starting at 9:30 am and running until 10:00 am we will have registration for 2024-2025 membership and refreshments.  There will also be a number of interactive stations available to visit.

• Chat with Keith Manlove, a Lake Friendly Gardener, about Lake shore Buffers and More - Sign up for a free site visit at your lake shore with our Master Gardener team.
• View, Touch and Hear About Long Lake’s Aquatic Vegetation - Sign up for a free dock visit to learn about what is growing around your dock and lake shore.
• Drop off a Drinking Water Sample for Nitrate Testing – Please read and complete the
  submission form instructions before you gather your water sample. The Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District will conduct the analysis. Results will be emailed to participants.
• Watch the CD3 System Video – Discuss other tools available to prevent the spread of AIS.
• Protect Loons By Dropping Off Lead Tackle and Old Fishing Line – Enter in a drawing for tungsten fishing tackle.

The Business meeting will begin at 10:00 am and concludes approximately at noon.  

Our guest speaker this year is Nicole Kovar, from the Minnesota DNR.  She will present “What’s Growing at the End of My Dock?” Nicole has extensive background on how wildlife, birds, and fish benefit from aquatic vegetation and how native plants help sustain Long Lake’s healthy water quality. Afterwards board reports will be presented and the Ice-off contest drawing will take place. 

 

Board elections will be held for the 2024-2025 “At Large” and Neighborhood 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 positions.

NOTE: If you would like to be considered as a candidate, please reach out to longlakeliving@gmail.com. The time commitment would be, at a minimum, 10-12 hours a year plus additional time for involvement on one or more committees.

 

We will conclude our meeting with several Door prize drawings. You must be present to win!

You do not need to be a member to attend the meeting, bring your friends and neighbors to learn more about Long Lake!  

 

JULY 4th FLOTILLA

Don’t forget the July 4th Flotilla.  Get your decorating ideas and join the flotilla at 3:50 pm on the lake near New Frontier Resort. The flotilla will start at 4:00 pm. If you can’t take part in the flotilla join the fun on shore and cheer the boats as they go by.

 

Please note:  If there is inclement weather (high winds, rain, thunderstorms) at 3:00 pm, the Flotilla will be canceled.

 

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the boating rules and regulations found in the DNR 2024 Minnesota Boating Guide. Have a safe and happy July 4th!

SPRING NEWSLETTER

Read the newsletter to learn more about what is happening on the lake.  You will find the links for the drinking water testing submission form and the CD3 video in the newsletter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Announcing the Spring 2024 Newsletter!

Hot off the press you will find the Long Lake Area Association Spring 2024 Newsletter.  It has tons of information on what is happening on Long Lake.  If you have any future topic ideas for our newsletter please let us know, we are always looking for timely and relevant ideas.

Below you will also find the “Be Bear Wise” checklist prepared by the Minnesota DNR.  There have been a number of bear sightings in our area and this checklist can be helpful in avoiding any unwanted bear visitors this summer.

Have a great summer and see you on the lake!

Jaimie Beretta
President, Long Lake Area Association

If you didn't receive your email with the newsletter attached you can read it by clicking this link.

Official Ice Out Date with statistic analysis

Spotters reported that all of the sheets of ice were gone from the lake on April 8th. That date was our date of ice out on Long Lake and reported to the DNR. 

Ben Cachiaras guessed the exact date this year. At the Annual Meeting (June 29th), we will draw from the 44 entries for the grand prize.  Last year ice out was May 3rd. In 2000, 2016 and 2017 ice out was around this date.

The following are the charts for Long Lake Ice Out as calculated by Vern Campbell.  The average date is April 20, so 2024 was about 12 days earlier than the average.  The charts indicate that although the Ice Out this year was slightly earlier than average, it is still within the bounds of normal random variation.  Just as a reminder, the UCL = May 22 and the LCL = March 19 are calculated values and are +/- 3 standard deviations from the mean date of April 20.  Therefore, basically if dates are normally distributed and fall between May 22 and March 19, then we can basically conclude that any deviation we see from the average is simply normal random variation.  Thus far, the Ice Out dates indicate random variation about the average ice Out date of April 20. 

(On the graph below, UCL = Upper Control Limit: LCL=Lower Control Limit) 

 

Ice Out on Long Lake?? Take a chance: Make a guess:

Welcome to the year of strange weather on Long Lake.  It is our tradition to have an Ice Out contest each year.  This year the deadline for submitting your guesses is March 1st.  Please pick your date and email it to longlakeliving@gmail.com (please note that is not the same address as this email)  

Help in making your decision: 

• Look at the historical data posted on our Ice Data tab   https://www.longlakeliving.org/p/ice-in-ice-out-data.html
• Look at long range weather forecasts
• FYI: Punxsutawney Phil: (the ground hog) predicted an early spring according to the newspapers. 
• Paul Douglas (weather guy ) in the Tribune wrote this on Thursday: "Average February snowfall at MSP is 9.5 inches.  Odds favor more (slushy) snow from mid-February into early April.  Don't take out the driveway stakes anytime soon.  An early spring is not preordained."

Take a chance.  Make a guess!  Those who select the winning date will be recognized on the website and at the Annual Meeting (Saturday June 29, 2024).  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 Saturday morning, June 29, 2024.   Good Luck to all!

Reminders: (LLAA events are on our website calendar too) 

Sat, May 4, 2024 at 2 PM is Roadside Cleanup on County 20 and cleaning of the Public Accesses 

Sat, June 29, 2024 LLAA Annual Meeting at the Hubbard Community Center, Refreshments / Registration / Visiting at 9:30 AM with Business Meeting / Presenter at 10 AM. 

The July 4,2024 Flotilla
LLAA’s Annual 4th of July Flotilla will start at 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 4. We will gather at New Frontier Resort on the West side of the lake, starting at 3:50 pm. Follow the North or South Leaders as they lead off at 4:00 pm. If there is inclement weather (high winds, rain, thunderstorms) at 3:00 pm on that day, the Flotilla will be cancelled.

El Nino Weather patterns makes it harder to determine Ice-In date

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those of us who winter on Long Lake spent December and the first part of January wondering if the ice would ever form. There were days when we saw white caps on the water..not ice.  At the same time, we were getting questions from our "snow bird" friends, "Has the lake frozen over yet?"  

Many points on the lake seemed to be frozen and then thaw again. On Jan 9th many people thought the lake had frozen over. But as you can see from the graphic above, the temperatures varied during that week.

Sharon Natzel's description of conditions during the week of January 8th: 

This year's ice-in spotters had to work very hard.  The weather just was not consistent. Our ice spotter that is positioned on the very steep west bank looking directly east across the lake, using binoculars, noticed a long narrow strip of water, running north to south, that opened up in the ice Tuesday 1/9/24 in the late afternoon.  The temperatures started dropping Thursday afternoon and by Friday, January 12, 2024, the lake finally froze over. Thank you to all the ice spotters around the lake.  It takes teamwork!  

 If you want more details of how Ice-In is determined and statistics, take a look at the Ice Data page .