Author: paragon

If you are like many lakeshore property owners you have probably spotted muskrats swimming near your shoreline in warmer months. Sometimes they can become a nuisance for landowners by causing shoreland to cave in over their burrows. This activity can erode your shoreline or cause sinkholes in your lawn. Arnold Groehler is an Animal Damage Control Trapper authorized as an agent by the DNR to remove muskrats from your shoreline. Permission to access your property is required. Arnold typically begins trapping muskrats in early spring (February or March) when the ice first goes off the lake. If you are in need of his service, he can be reached by email at jmgroehler@aol.com or by phone at 262-490-9363.

Now that the lake has quieted and there is little boat traffic on the lake, it is the perfect time to consider how your shoreland lighting impacts your property, your neighbors and the local wildlife. While light pollution might not be detrimental to our health, it can be of concern if lights are shining onto others property or causing night-time glare. Balancing the ability to see at night with the desire to preserve the beauty of the night is the goal of sensible shoreland lighting. A booklet called “Sensible Shoreland Lighting” is available on the “Reports” page of this website, courtesy of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Please take a look and consider how your lighting impacts those around you today.

The DNR has partnered with the Lac La Belle Management District to offer a $100 Reward to anglers that catch a specifically numbered floy tagged carp in the Oconomowoc River system!  This carp tag return program will provide the Wisconsin DNR and Lac La Belle Management District with critical fisheries management information and work to reduce the abundance of this invasive species.  Not all floy tagged carp will be worth $100.  There are only 20 specifically numbered floy tagged carp with an acoustic tag implanted in the body cavity.  If you catch a tagged carp, please contact Ben Heussner, Fisheries Biologist at 414-303-0109 or at benjamin.heussner@wisconsin.gov to determine if you have won the reward!  Thank you and best of luck to all anglers!!  Please visit the “Reports” page of this website for additional details.

Have you ever been out on the lake and noticed bright lights coming at you almost like headlights on a car? Have you ever laid in your bed and had bright lights sweep across the walls of your home because of an avid fisherman/woman outside along the shoreline? Have you ever looked across the lake and found that someone’s light glistening on the lake was not the moon like you thought? Then you have encountered lights and light pollution. If you are the owner of the light, here are things you can do to make these situations better for the people around you. Please visit the Lights & Light Pollution article on the “Reports” page to learn more.

As part of its mission, the LLBMD seeks to provide education regarding various lake issues and concerns and frankly, from time to time, we could all use a “refresher” in certain aspects of boating courtesy and safety. To that end, “Resources & Reminders” has been posted to the “Reports” page. This document provides a bit of information about piers, mooring buoys, boating safety and courtesy as well as links for additional detailed information. Thank you for taking the time to read this helpful information!

Are you on Facebook?  If so, please visit the new LLBMD Facebook page coming online in the next few months…and as they say, “Don’t forget to ‘Like” us on Facebook!”

The Wisconsin Legislature has made major changes to shoreland zoning in 2015-16. These changes are described in three short video presentations. Please click the links below to access the new shoreland zoning video presentations.

1. Introduction to shoreland zoning and recent changes to required shoreland lot sizes

2. Changes to shoreland setbacks, vegetation protection and impervious surface standards

3. Changes to standards for buildings located close to the shoreline

Whole video (all three parts combined; 30 minutes)

Starry Stonewort is an invasive species recently found in Little Muskego Lake and other area Wisconsin Lakes. It continues to spread from lake to lake this year.  Once established, it is difficult to eradicate and quickly spreads. It is NOT currently found in Lac La Belle.  Please be aware of what it looks like and notify the DNR or the Lac La Belle Management District if believe you have seen some in Lac La Belle.   Please see the Starry Stonewort links in the “Links” section on the “Home” page of this website for more information.  Public education and effort is critical to keeping this invasive out of Lac La Belle!

Fantastic news for anyone interested in boating to dinner or to City Beach for summer fun!  The Community Center has a pier with several mooring spots where the public can tie up boats for a short time(3 hours)  to go downtown to get a meal, shop or simply take in a concert at City Beach-all free of charge.  You should plan to tie up your boat without assistance and be aware of any valuables left on your boat as you disembark.  Enjoy!

Did you know healthy lawns are safe for our children, pets and our lake?  Waukesha County is offering “Clean Water, Healthy Lawns” workshops for interested residents.  There are simple things you can do to have a beautiful lawn and maintain healthy waters, such as “let it go.” Letting your lawn go dormant during hot weather can be good for it!  This is just one small example that doesn’t require a lot of work to make the lake a little cleaner. To learn more, please view our “Reports” page and look for the “Clean Water, Healthy Lawns” article.