2025 Vilas County Lakes Conservation Partners Meeting
Get the inside scoop on what lake organizations are doing in Vilas County with lake conservation.
UPDATE: Wake Surfing Bill hearing date set for August 26
We’ve just received news that a wake-surfing industry-backed bill is expected to be introduced next week.
Wake Surfing Bill Alert
Urgent Action Needed: An Industry-backed Wake Surfing Bill is coming to Madison.
VCLRA’s Summer 2025 newsletter has taken flight!
Read about our six-county lakes and rivers meeting on Friday, July 11th, an update on enhanced wakesurfing, VCLRA's Northwoods Businesses for Clean Water (NBCW) initiative, celebrating our night skies and more…
Public Comment Opportunity for WI Wake Boating Policy
There is a public comment opportunity for WI Wake Boating Policy in Oneida and Vilas Counties on May 5th and 6th to Senate President Mary Felzkowski and Representative Rob Swearingen.
VCLRA’s Winter 24-25 newsletter is out!
Read about our revised membership process, a new state-wide coalition on wake boats, climate change, Blue Heron award recipients and more…
North Lakeland Woods and Water Conference
Our registration is now open for the 2nd annual North Lakeland Woods and Water Conference to be held on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Vilas County Lakes Conservation Partners Meeting
Vilas County Land & Water Conservation is holding its annual fall meeting on lake conservation on Thurs Oct 24th from 10 am-12:30 pm to share what local groups and professionals are doing to conserve lakes in Vilas County, and to report on the AIS section of the Vilas County Invasive Species Strategic Management Plan. This will be a virtual meeting. The public is welcomed!
Video and photos from 2024 six-county meeting
Missed our 2024 Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting in July? No problem — view the video plus event photos online.
Wakeboats now regulated in Vermont; WI overwhelmingly favors restrictions in WCC poll
Vermont’s new wakeboat regulations are now in effect. Here in Wisconsin, participants in the annual poll by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress overwhelmingly supported statewide restrictions on wakeboats and the regulation of ballasted wakesports.
Annual Spring Hearing and Public Input Opportunity: Wakesurfing
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will once again offer their annual opportunity for the public to provide input on a variety of questions, including wake boat regulation, online starting at noon April 10 to noon on April 13, 2024.
Six-County Lakes Meeting: FINAL UPDATE
“Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected” is the theme for the annual Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting, set for Friday, July 12, at Nicolet College. The program will include discussion on the connections among water resources and the people who use them, along with presentations on the impacts of climate change.
North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference Held May 3rd
The North Lakeland Woods & Waters Conference to be held at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, WI on Friday May 3rd, 2024.
Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting Set for July 12, 2024
“Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected” is the theme for the annual Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting, set for Friday, July 12, at Nicolet College. The program will include discussion on the connections among water resources and the people who use them, along with presentations on the impacts of climate change.
Wake Boats and Lakes
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) released a new report on the effects of wake boats on Wisconsin lakes. WGF’s report “The Effects of Wake Boats on Lake Ecosystem Health: A Literature Review,” compiles findings from over 175 scientific studies in the U.S.
Grade 4-6, Brynn Schillinger 1st place and Rose Redman 2nd place. Photo credit Beth Schillinger
Vilas Youth Conservation Poster & Speaking Competitions
Students from Vilas County schools took part in the Vilas County Youth Conservation Poster & Speaking Competitions, hosted by Vilas County Land & Water. Overall 84 students submitted material, and an awards ceremony was held at the Olson Memorial Library in January.
VCLRA’s 2024 winter newsletter available
Celebrating 30 years of protecting our Vilas waters, Wakesurfing legislation; Vilas short-term rental ordinance; Northern Lakes Toolbox; How trees benefit lakes; Blue Heron Award and more!
Photo: WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU
A compelling new wakesports proposal
Sen. André Jacque (R-DePere) entered the wakesports fray last week, releasing a proposal that would manage wakesports on Wisconsin waters under terms largely in line with those proposed in recent popular Wisconsin Conservation Congress resolutions.
Vilas County passes zoning ordinance regulating tourist rooming houses
The Vilas County Tourist Rooming House Ordinance passed with a unanimous vote last week.
Observations from recent wakesurfing bill listening sessions
I attended the Eagle River and Rhinelander listening sessions. I could not get into the Minocqua session. All sessions were standing room only! The session interest and attendance was impressive!
Wakesurfing regulators host public input sessions Nov. 13
Rep. Rob Swearingen and Sen. Mary Felzkowski, who have drafted wakesurfing legislation as reported in our earlier posts, will be hosting listening sessions on Monday, Nov. 13 to hear public input.
UPDATE from Wisconsin Lakes on wakeboat legislation
Wisconsin Lakes released this ACTION ALERT yesterday regarding regarding the proposed wakesport bill LRB-3518
SOAR Wisconsin River Cleanup
A dozen students and teachers from the SOAR Charter High School participated in a river cleanup along a stretch of the Wisconsin River in Eagle River. Wildwood Outdoor Adventures graciously provided about a dozen canoes and kayaks, paddles and life vests for the event.
Rushed legislation on wakeboats under consideration
State-wide legislation regulating wakesurfing with simply a 200-foot minimum distance from shore criterion for wake boats is under consideration. This would be an attempt to preempt research and discussion by all stakeholders, which has been underway here in Wisconsin and in several other states.
2023 Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting Video
View the video recording of the 2023 Northwoods six-county lakes and rivers meeting, which featured a balance of learning and discussion of key issues affecting our lakes and rivers.
2023 VCLRA Summer Newsletter
News about the the July 14th six-county lakes and rivers conference featuring a panel on law-enforcement challenges affecting the health and enjoyment of our lakes; update on wake boat resolutions and more!
2023 6-county lakes & rivers workshop
REVISED: This year's 6-county lakes & rivers meeting will take place on July 14th and include updates on Wisconsin legislation, invasives and other issues of interest to our lake community, plus highlight the role of law enforcement on maintaining the health and enjoyment of our Northwoods lakes and rivers.
Shoreland Owner Workshop
If you own lake or river shoreland property and would like to learn about best practices and programs to protect water quality and habitat, as well as permanent conservation options through NWLT, please join us on Monday, June 26 at 10 am at the Northwoods Center in Eagle River.
WCC Spring Hearing accepting input on regulating wake surfing
VCLRA is again requesting your input to the 2023 Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring Hearing on REGULATING WAKE SURFING ON WISCONSIN LAKES AND RIVERS. Input can be provided online from noon April 10 to noon April 13.
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Northwoods LIGHTS OUT!
Looking for another way to enjoy the wonders of the Northwoods? Exploring the night skies, watching fireflies and stargazing are but a few ways to appreciate the darkness. Join us for two weekends of LIGHTS OUT...
Vilas County Local Regulation of Hazardous Wakes Workshop
If your town is considering a hazardous wake ordinance, you may want to attend this workshop at the Boulder Junction Community Center on March 8, 2023. The purpose of this workshop is to offer guidance on how to regulate hazardous wakes through local ordinances.
Winter 2022-23 newsletter available
Our Winter 2022-2023 newsletter is available. Read about Hazardous Wake Issues, Blue Heron Stewardship awards, AIS prevention and much more…
Wake Boats a hot topic at Wisconsin NRB
Last week, the Wisconsin Natural Resource Board met to examine the issues surrounding wake boats to look at actions, including new laws, to address the issues.
2022 Vilas County Lakes Conservation Partners Meeting
Join other local lake organizations, professionals, and volunteers next week on Friday Oct 28 from 9:30-Noon at the Boulder Junction Community Center for the annual Vilas County Lake Conservation Partners…
Changing climate impacts our lakes
by Dea Larsen Converse, larsenconver@wisc.edu A recently released report on climate impacts to water resources in Wisconsin from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) shows that warming temperatures…
2022 Six-County Lakes & Rivers Conference Presentations
View the presentations from our most recent multi-county lakes & Rivers Conference
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com
Spring 2022 newsletter available
Check out our latest newsletter. Learn about our upcoming, 2022 Northwoods Six-County Lakes & Rivers Conference (which incorporates our VCLRA annual meeting) on July 15th at Nicolet College, which returns…
Regulation of wake boats: an opportunity to provide input to state regulators
The public has an opportunity to influence state regulations through the 2022 Spring Hearing online input sponsored by The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC), which is a liaison between the citizens of Wisconsin, the Natural Resources Board (NRB) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Its purpose is to provide an avenue for public input and exchange concerning conservation issues in Wisconsin. Pending approval by the Wisconsin Legislature, what started as a Citizen Resolution can become a Wisconsin rule/law. To that end, WCC has submitted several proposed Citizen Resolution questions for Vilas County and Dane county. If these resolution questions pass the first step, they will follow the process toward a hazardous wake resolution at the state level. If successful, current State boating regulations and statutes could be changed to regulate wake boats.
2022 Six-County Lakes & Rivers Conference
Lake group leaders and members from six northern Wisconsin counties will convene for a discussion of the environmental impacts of wakeboats and other issues related lake recreational capacity on Friday, July 15th, and will return to an in-person event.
Comment on VCLRA’s Wake Boats article
by Bobbie Kocim, bkocim@sbcglobal.net
I read the Winter 2021-22 Newsletter article regarding Wake Boats. [See page 6 of the winter newsletter.] It may be of interest to readers to know WI currently has State Statutes which offer some relief from documented wake boat damage.
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Youth Conservation Poster Contest
Daryn Smolinksi, Mollie Waltz, and Clark Higley are the winners of the 2022 Vilas County Land & Water Youth Conservation Poster Contest.
The Vilas County Youth Conservation Poster Contest is held annually to promote youth awareness of local land and water conservation issues. Vilas County Land & Water staff partner with teachers, home schoolers, and other educators to offer lessons that meet academics standards. This year Land & Water staff were able to go into classrooms with soil samples and vegetables to teach the theme of “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life”.
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Winter 2021-2022 Newsletter available
Happy New Year! Our Winter 2021-2022 newsletter is available online (members who get print copies will get these by mail in a few weeks). Read about Wake Boats, the Northwoods…
Science on Tap: Using Science to Wrangle AIS
Wednesday, January 5, 2022 6:30 pm —
Live Event – Oakfire Pizza, Minocqua
UPDATE — due to Covid this is now a remote event.
Visit http://www.scienceontapminocqua.org/ to connect.
Michelle Nault is the statewide lakes and reservoir ecologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Water Quality and is responsible for providing technical guidance to a wide variety of lake management and restoration efforts. Michelle will discuss how the DNR and its partners use science to deal with these troubling aquatic invasive species.
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2021 Six County Lakes & Rivers Conference Video
View all presentations from the 2021 six-county lakes and rivers conference, which was hosted by Vilas and Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Associations on July 16th 2021. Attendees were invited from Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Langlade, Iron and Lincoln counties. Pat Goggin, lake specialist at the UW Extension Lakes, was the conference leader. Climate change, high water, development, and less state protections can all impact water quality in the Northwoods and were some of the topics addressed during the meeting by lake leaders and experts from Wisconsin and Minnesota.
2021 Spring newsletter available
In addition to our online (blog) Article and News items, VCLRA publishes 2 print newsletters per year that are mailed to members (unless a member requests digital only). The 2021…
2021 Multi-county Lakes Workshop
Vilas and Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Associations will again co-host a multi-county lakes workshop on July 16th 2021 at 9am-1pm. Climate change, high water, development, and less state protections can all impact water quality in the Northwoods and will be addressed during the meeting.
Izabella Mitchell of AV-W Wins Vilas County Poster Contest
The Vilas County Youth Conservation Poster Contest is held annually to promote youth awareness of local land and water conservation issues. This year’s theme was “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities,” and the winning poster was created by Izabella Mitchell. Her entry will next compete with nine other county winners in WI.
Our January 2021 newsletter is out!
Happy New Year! Our January/winter 2021 newsletter is available. Read about Lakes in the Time of Covid, the Northwoods Businesses for Clean Waters Program, and more.
Happy Holidays!
Finally we can say goodbye to 2020! Each of us faced unprecedented challenges that truly reshaped our focus and priorities.
Debbie Millar (Ballard Lake) receives Blue Heron Award
The Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) awarded our Blue Heron Shoreland Stewardship Award to Debbie Millar of Ballard Lake for restoration completed on her lakefront property. This award was presented at our “Celebrate the Lakes Day” on July 10, 2020 via Zoom Conference Call. Congratulations to Debbie Millar!
Our June 2020 newsletter is available
Our latest newsletter (June 2020) is now available. It is notable for being the first newsletter published since the Covid-19 outbreak. Our board continues to work remotely on the issues…
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Note from the President
The corona virus (Covid-19) has created an unprecedented global health and economic crisis. In this moment in time, we have in common with all other people on our planet the same fear, anxiety and stress over its impacts on the health of our family and friends, as well as its consequences for our society and economy.
Yet I look out the window and see an entirely peaceful and calming scene, seemingly detached from the human toll worldwide. It is amazing to look at our lakes and their natural surroundings and see that the natural world does not appear to have noticed our crisis or been impacted at all. Well, the skies are maybe a little clearer. (more…)
Special COVID-19 Alert
Vilas County issues advisory to seasonal homeowners.
On March 20, 2020, the Vilas County Public Health Official declared that a Public Health Emergency exists in Vilas County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the national spread of the COVID-19 virus, Vilas County Government issued the following inter-county Travel Advisory. It urged seasonal or second home owners to stay away from the area due to high community transmission in outside areas. It also noted the very limited healthcare infrastructure in Vilas County and the high population of older adults that are most vulnerable as other factors for issuing the advisory.
2020 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Online Learning Event
Focusing on Resilient Lakes and Rivers is the theme for this year's annual Lakes & River Convention, which will be held on April 1-3 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point. For the first time, the lakes focus of this annual event has been broadened to include rivers and streams...
Noah Miller awarded 2019 VCLRA Scholarship
This year, we are pleased to recognize Northland Pines High School senior Noah Miller as our 2019 VCLRA scholarship award recipient.
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New study shows the economic impact of clean lakes
As a follow up to investigations into the economic value of waterfront properties in Oneida and Vilas Counties, researchers from UW-Eau Claire, researched the link between water clarity and the sale prices of waterfront homes.
Healthy Lakes Grant
Vilas County Land & Water Conservation Department is seeking lakeshore property landowners wanting funds to improve lake water quality or shoreline habitat.
(C) Steve Kohls/ Brainerd Dispatch
Brainerd High School students Gavin Metz (left) and Abby Wohl-Kovatovich search for aquatic specimens in Boom Lake Wednesday as part of their biology field trip.
VCLRA Scholarship awarded to local student
The Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association (VCLRA) was pleased to award its inaugural scholarship to Lakeland Union student, Joseph Boyle.