FALL 2021 NEWSLETTER
- Long Lake Waters Association
- Aug 5
- 4 min read
Long Lake Waters Association
Our mission is to provide collaborative leadership in improving and protecting the water quality of the Long Lake Creek Watershed for the enjoyment of present and future generations
SEVEN LAKES - THREE CITIES - ONE WATERSHED
Welcome to fall in the Long Lake Creek Watershed!
As the days shorten and the weather cools we can still enjoy a palette of fall colors, wildflower blooms and turning leaves.The season still provides plenty of opportunities to beactive and enjoy the watershed.
What’s happening:
Carp Removal
Long Lake Waters Association recently engaged Carp Solutions in an initial box netting effort on Long Lake, to try and reduce the levels of invasive carp in the watershed.
In box netting, nets are placed strategically within a body of water, according to known congregation and migration patterns, and baited with corn. Antennas on the bottom of the net track how many carp feed on the bait and when. After a week, nets are lifted at night using remote controllers to avoid spooking the notoriously skittish carp.
Przemek Bajer, the chief scientist at Carp Solutions, reported that more than 1000 healthy, relatively mature carp were captured in the pilot removal (two nets were baited and each were triggered three times). No significant by-catch of native fish was seen.
The carp that were captured included dozens that had been tagged in 2019, providing Carp Solutions with some excellent data about estimated total population, migration between lakes in the watershed, and population age. The fish seem unable to migrate out of Long Lake for breeding, in part because of the metal weir at County Road 6 constructed in 1996 (interestingly, the weir was originally intended to slow runoff into the lake and reduce the nutrient load). Coupled with the absence of young carp in the catch, further box netting could have a long-term positive impact on the lake.
The success of the pilot netting program offered an encouraging outcome to support proceeding with more carp removal in spring 2021, and provides a clearer understanding about how to proceed with an effective management plan.
We extend our thanks to the Long Lake residents who provided lake access and support to Carp Solutions for a successful initial box netting effort.
LLWA Fall Event – Lessons from the lake, and community conversation:
Please join us for an educational evening on Tuesday, November 4 from 6:30-7:30pm.
Przemek (pronounced Shemek) Bajer, chief scientist at Carp Solutions will talk us through more of what we have learned about the carp in Long Lake, and what that means for water quality and for the lake’s native ecosystem. We will then facilitate a conversation amongst members and the community about how we manage water quality and build support for our efforts across the Long Lake Creek Subwatershed. We will also hold our board elections during the evening.
We will meet through Zoom, links and access details will be sent via email the day before the meeting. We look forward to holding an outdoor community event in the spring of 2022.
What’s moving
Watercraft… While the water is cooling, the need to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species is still of red hot importance. If you are using watercraft in Long Lake, be sure to use the cleaning station after you pull your boat our water craft out of the water to wash off any aquatic species. This is especially important if you are using your craft in other lakes.
…of all sizes Rowers, paddle boarders, and kayakers share the lake with boats, and other motorized watercraft. As the water level is lower this year because of the drought, fast moving boats need to be especially aware of non-motorized crafts who may be within a boat’s path, or wake.
Birds. Bright yellow Goldfinches are feeding on native thistle this time of year. The American goldfinch (Spinus tristus), which is strictly vegetarian, feeds on the seeds of thistles, asters, sunflowers, and other annual wildflowers of the aster family. They also enjoy the seeds of grasses and trees, such as alder, birch, red cedar and elm.
Native thistles tend to be less spiky than the very sharp bull thistle, and the prolific Canadian thistle. Goldfinches, as well as monarchs, native bees, red-headed woodpeckers and American kestrels benefit from natives such as thistles, aster family wildflowers and milkweeds in our landscapes.
What's growing:
Fall Mushrooms: This is the time of year when two distinct, and impressively large mushrooms appear: hen of the woods, and giant puffball.
Hen of the woods, or maitake, can grow in the same spot for many years, at the base of an old oak tree. Reaching almost a foot in diameter, these mushrooms offer too much for one sitting. But they hold up well to drying or freezing, so can make a welcome appearance in the winter.
Hen of the Woods (maitake) mushroom are often found at the base of an oak tree Be sure to break Hen of the Woods apart and clear of leaf litter before eating.
Giant puffballs often grow in the same spot year after year, suddenly appearing in the middle of a lawn, or on a path in the woods. Puffballs are only edible when they are perfectly white, before they turn yellow and ultimately a dull brown. Peel back the leathery outer layer and slice the inside, which resembles tofu and tastes mild like scrambled eggs. With a quick fry and some salt and pepper, they are a great mushroom to share with a crowd, as they are best eaten fresh.
Giant Puffball Mushrooms can be found throughout the watershed his open Puffball is too mature and overripe -- eat only if completely white
Long Lake Creek Subwatershed Assessment
Five lakes in the Long Lake Creek Subwatershed are listed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as being impaired for water quality due to excess nutrients: Holy Name, School, Wolsfeld, Long, and Tanager.
For more information on the state of our watershed, please click the logo below, or visit: https://www.minnehahacreek.org/project/long-lake-creek-subwatershed-assessment
How to help:
Board Members:
Long Lake Waters Association is looking for watershed residents to volunteer for special projects and join the Board. If you are interested, board applications can be found on the LLWA website or please email longlakewaters@gmail.com for more details. Board Applications are due October 1 and selections will be confirmed November 1, 2021.
What do you see?
Please let us know what you are seeing in the watershed, either conditions or problems you are concerned about, or positive feedback and community actions. You can reach out by email to longlakewaters@gmail.com, or share on our Facebook or Instagram feeds.
Help us grow!
Spread the word about LLWA, follow us on Instagram or Facebook, share this newsletter with friends and neighbors, invite a friend to our November 4 event.
Long Lake Waters Association
PO Box 195, Long Lake, MN 55356
A Minnesota 501(c)(3)
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