Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Status of the Fishery Resource Report November 17, 2022
Mark Tonello, Fisheries Management Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently compiled Status of Fishery Resource Report for Higgins Lake. In his report, he states, “Nutrient enrichment has been a very hot topic among the Higgins Lake community in recent years, although it has been a documented, ongoing problem for decades (King et al. 1991; Minnerick 2001; Martin et al. 2014; Jermalowicz-Jones 2020). There is no doubt that nutrient enrichment of Higgins Lake is occurring, and that a significant amount of the nutrients come from septic system effluent leaching into the lake through the groundwater. If the nutrient enrichment continues at this pace, much of the deeper areas of the lake will become hypoxic, and therefore unusable for fishes. In other words, within a few decades, it could become impossible for species like Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Whitefish, Rainbow Smelt, and Cisco to thrive or perhaps even survive, in the deeper parts of Higgins Lake (Dr. Mark Luttenton, Grand Valley State University, personal communication). In addition, algal blooms could continue to get worse in Higgins Lake, potentially including blooms that are toxic to humans and their pets. The warmer water temperatures seen in recent years (attributed to climate change) may also serve to exacerbate algae bloom issues. Jermalowicz-Jones recommended the installation of a lake-wide sewer system to reduce nutrient inputs into the lake (2020). We agree with that recommendation, and therefore, we wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Gerrish Lyon Utility Authority (GLUA) to install a sanitary sewer system in the Higgins Lake watershed.”
Below is Mark Tonello’s informative report on fishery in Higgins Lake.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Status of the Fishery Resource Report November 2022
HLPOA Member Email “Blasts”:
The HLPOA Board recently decided to prepare a series of informative emails to our members on a variety topics concerning Higgins Lake and will send them out on a regular basis. Copies of those emails (a.k.a.: “Blasts”) will be posted here as they are published.
- June 1, 2023 Email Blast – Hazardous Waste, Camp Grayling Expansion, Water Purity
- May 1, 2023 Email Blast – Camp Grayling Expansion/Lyon Twp Mtg Septic Proposal
- April 10, 2023 Email Blast – SAD Meeting 4.14.23
- December 2022 Email Blast – Pharmaceuticals can enter Higgins Lake
- November 2022 Email Blast – Pharmaceuticals found in Higgins Lake
- October 2022 Email Blast – GLUA Meeting via Zoom
- October 2022 Email Blast – Dr. Rose Presenting at GLUA Meeting
- April 2022 Email Blast – HLPOA Needs Your Support
- February 2022 Email Blast – Gypsy Moth Suppression
- January 2022 Email Blast – Sewer Project Update
- November 2021 Email Blast – Urgent Request
- October 2021 Email Blast Sewer Update & Request
- September 2021 Email Blast Sewer Petition
- July 2021 Email Blast Call to Arms
- July 2021 Email Blast HLSIO Fundraiser
- July 2021 Email Blast HLSIO Flyer
- July 2021 Email Blast
- May 2021 Email Blast
- March 2021 Email Blast
- February 2021 Email Blast
New 2019 State Boating Law — Aimed at Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Click on the link, below, for more info:
Starry Stonewort (SSW) Update – November, 2018. Click here for details.
As many are aware, it was recently determined that Starry Stonewort, a potentially dangerous new invasive species, is present in Higgins Lake. In our fall newsletter we provided an explanation of what this invasive plant is, where it was found and what we were asking the DNR / DEQ to do to help control its spread. Many of our members took an active part in contacting various people to advise them of our situation and ask them to assist our lake. On November 20th a very important meeting was held with the DNR in which they unveiled their plan to deal with this threat. The HLPOA was encouraged that, to their credit, the DNR is intending to take steps to eliminate the Starry Stonewort cultures in their park launch areas and monitor and assess their success in doing so. The locations of concern that the DNR will be addressing are the navigational channels at the South Park, the North Park, the West Launch and the South Park Lagoon.
April, 2018 Update: Swimmer’s Itch Control Program for 2018 and Beyond Now Posted
The DNR has developed a new permit application process. Below is the link to the background and development which led to the adoption of the Roscommon County Resolution. Thanks to all who supported these efforts: