Know the Enemy (Third in a Series)

Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)


These little critters are virtually everywhere in Wisconsin, but are the most plentiful in Oneida and Vilas Counties.

It may take an expert to distinguish 'rusties' from native species, but the impact is almost surely noticeable.  Rusty crayfish are voracious plant eaters, so a lake may experience a reduction in plant life, reducing cover for fish, spawning grounds and food.  Rusty crayfish have also been known to eat fish eggs.  Fish that normally eat native crayfish, don't like the 'feisty' rusty crayfish.


They are aggressive and displace native crayfish. Rusty crayfish are prolific; females lay from 80-575 eggs!


These little invasives prefer to live in areas with cobble, rocks, logs, or other debris.  For cover, bottom types may be clay, silt, sand, gravel, or rock.


Rusties are so aggressive they may alter the ecosystem of a lake.

This species is so prolific that it has been deemed impossible to eradicate.  Introduction of one female to a body of water in the right conditions may cause an infestation.

How are they best controlled?  Read Fish Predation and Trapping for Rusty Crayfish Control on Plum and Star Lakes: A Commentary by Frank G. Splitt of Vilas County. 


For further information click here.

Know the Enemy (Second in a Series)

Eurasian water milfoil is a submersed aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It is the only non-native milfoil in Wisconsin. Like the native milfoils, the Eurasian variety has slender stems whorled by submersed feathery leaves and tiny flowers produced above the water surface. The flowers are located in the axis of the floral bracts, and are either four-petaled or without petals. The leaves are threadlike, typically uniform in diameter, and aggregated into a submersed terminal spike. The stem thickens below the inflorescence and doubles its width further down, often curving to lie parallel with the water surface. The fruits are four-jointed nut-like bodies. Without flowers or fruits, Eurasian water milfoil is nearly impossible to distinguish from Northern water milfoil. Eurasian water milfoil has 9-21 pairs of leaflets per leaf, while Northern milfoil typically has 7-11 pairs of leaflets. Coontail is often mistaken for the milfoils, but does not have individual leaflets.

NOTE:  This invasive's existence was confirmed in the upper Wisconsin River, near the Rainbow Flowage in 2005.

Source:  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (click here for further information)

February 15 2011 Minutes (DRAFT)

Know the Enemy (First in a Series)

Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive aquatic perennial that is native to Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. It was accidentally introduced to United States waters in the mid-1880s by hobbyists who used it as an aquarium plant. The leaves are reddish-green, oblong, and about 3 inches long, with distinct wavy edges that are finely toothed. The stem of the plant is flat, reddish-brown and grows from 1 to 3 feet long. The plant usually drops to the lake bottom by early July.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (click here for further information)

Interested in Starting a Lake Association?

Starting a Lake Association can be one of the most rewarding things you can do for your lake, for your property and for future generations.

It's the one thing where you and your neighbors all have the same interest--to protect and enhance you lake and lake property.

It's not at all difficult to form a lake association.  We can help.  Contact a committee member (information listed under 'About Us' tab) or call Scott at 715-804-4403.

A good place to start is the website for the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.  Click here for detailed information.  Your lakes will thank you.

Lakes Committee Wants County to Fill Vacant AIS Position "As Soon As Possible"

At its January meeting the Newbold Lakes Committee passed a motion requesting the Town Board write a letter to the County encouraging it to fill the vacant Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator as soon as possible.

The motion encourages all lakes associations and anyone interested in our waterways to do likewise.

The committee believes that the AIS Coordinator is critical to the success of our lakes management.

Lakes Committee Recommends Mission Statement

At its January 18 meeting, the Newbold Lakes Committee passed a unanimous motion to recommend the Town Board adopt the following mission statement:

"To preserve, protect and enhance the quality of the town's waters through education, communication, and outreach; to pass them along to future generations in better condition than we received them."

The motion will be presented to the Town Board at its January 27 meeting for their consideration.