Lake Carlos Area Association

LCAA completed its annual spring water testing in Lake Carlos.  Over the last couple of years, water clarity has improved.  This may be due to the presence of zebra mussels filtering the water.  We are off to a dry start and hope for rain.

Water Clarity:  Our water clarity on May 15, 2006, was clear to 24 feet deep, and is similar to last year’s read and much clearer than the historic visual depth clarity marker of 15 feet.

Lake Level:  Water levels change over the years and have a big impact on channel navigation, shoreline erosion, ice-ridge damage, and dock and boat-lift use.  This chart shows the results of LCAA monitoring.  (Inches above DNR fixed point)

Boating under one of our channel bridges can cause some confusion and unnecessary delays. When a boat approaches the channel, if it can be seen from the other side, it can proceed through the channel if it enters the buoys before a boat coming from another lake. If a boat is in the channel another boater can follow that boat through if that second boat can be seen from the other lake. Generally speaking, several boats going under the bridge and then alternating to allow boaters from the other lake to enter the channel and pass makes for a smooth run. Alternating in groups makes for pleasant travel. Please be safe and courteous.

Lake residents may have seen activity on the lake late at night that includes spotlights and barges.  Carp spearing has become a popular endeavor.  The activity is particularly heavy on the north end of Lake Carlos near the Long Prairie River outlet.  Carp are bottom feeders and have a tendency to tear-up lake-bottom vegetation, thereby disturbing game- and pan-fish habitat.

Carp populations have increased over the past few years for a number of reasons.  The DNR used to set carp traps to keep the carp out of recreational lakes like ours.  That policy changed some time ago and, as a result, these large wandering fish can now be seen swimming in small groups/schools as they pass docks.  Controlling the increased carp population is a good thing and is now a popular pastime for spearing and bow hunting.  We hope that the bright light activity and the activity around the Long Prairie Dam just off the edge of our lake settles down as we enter into a summer season.

Remember, the Carlos/Darling Bridge is “lower” on the Darling side. When going under the bridges, go slow and remind your passengers to “DUCK!”

Well folks it’s confirmed, we have zebra mussels.  Lake Carlos, and other lakes on the Chain of Lakes have these little critters.  Not unlike the small snails that have been indigenous to our lakes, we now have the aquatic invasive species (AIS) known as zebra mussels.

So what is the impact that these critters will have on our lakes?  For one, they naturally filter the water and clean it.  Yes there is some good news in this AIS discovery.  The mussels cling to hard surfaces including rocks, docks and lifts, water intakes and other surfaces.  They can accumulate in areas and be a pest.  Whether they impact other things in the ecosystem remains to be seen.

They can be a pest.  Some areas where zebra mussels accumulate may leave empty shells that could cut a bare foot.  Cleaning out sprinkler system intake screens may become necessary.  But, it is not the end of the world.  It is not the end of a healthy lake.

Zebra mussels first showed up over twenty-five years ago in the State of Michigan.  They soon spread throughout the Great Lakes area from New England to Minnesota and they continue to work their way west.  Not unlike other invasive species, they are carried by a number of sources including boats, live-wells, ballast systems and other obvious methods introduced by lake users.  However, they began as microscopic organisms and may be transferred by ducks and other water birds from one lake to the next.

More good news, areas to the east of Minnesota have learned to live with the critters and they have not been an earth shaking problem.  Whether in Wisconsin, Illinois, or areas to the east coast, lakes and lake associations have dealt with zebra mussels and live with them.

It is our responsibility as lake users to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels (and any other AIS).  When taking your boat out of the lake, make sure it is dry and clean.  Don’t drop your boat into another lake if there is any chance of spreading AIS.  Signage will be provided at public accesses.  Spread the word.  Be careful not to transfer AIS from one lake to another.  This is also a good reminder.  When coming from another lake, make sure your boat is clean so that we don’t get another AIS into our Chain of Lakes.

LCAA did a walleye-stocking change-up this year.  Instead of fall stocking of fingerlings, LCAA purchased and stocked a larger ‘yearling’ walleye in late May.  The size went from 1 to 2 inches, to 6 to 9-inch fish.  LCAA believes that the larger fish have a better chance of surviving to grow to adult size.  Walleye are a valuable part of our Lake Carlos ecosystem.