A message from Carol and Dick

Dear Friends,

What can I say?  The summers don't come much better than the one we had in 1998. Starting with an early spring, the weather was great for vacationing if not so good for the water level. The creek was so low all summer that by October it was all but a trickle. An interesting phenomenon occurred in November as the creek almost overnight was up to full capacity.  It seems when the trees lose their leaves and shut down for the winter, all their moisture goes back into the ground and runs off into our lakes.

Three years after our disastrous fish kill, the fishing has greatly improved. Early June brought many good walleye catches and later the Muskies were hitting in abundance. The stocked Muskies were close to 30" last year so there is a good chance that we will see many in the keeper range this summer. The panfish are strengthening also as the ice fishermen have been catching some large bluegills this winter. In an effort to prevent another winter kill and determine the health of our lakes, our Lakes Association has joined with the DNR in a year-round lake monitoring project. Dick is spearheading this endeavor with the assistance of Bill Grunwald and Dwight Sandman, the water samplers.

Our Tuesday picnics to attract those who enjoy good food and good company. Our record attendance last summer was 75 people! We still intend to get our cookbook organized so this may be the last summer to get us your favorite recipes. The picnic pavilion as Aqualand and the fire pit will be completed this spring to provide a new area to enjoy the north woods.

The fourth of July was celebrated with a bagpiper, John Grunwald. Bill and Sue's son John was with us for the summer and put on several bagpipe demonstrations.

We are saddened by the death of Susan Damby, an energetic young woman who wove baskets at the beach.

Wisconsin has implemented a new computerized fishing license procedure. We will still be able to supply any and all licenses, including hunting and state park stickers, you will be required to input your social security number.

Looking forward to seeing you, for another great summer!

Carol and Dick Malmgren