SPIDER CHAIN OF LAKES ASSOCIATION

The Spider Lake Environmental Education for Kids program is an annual program offered at no cost to children and young adults in collaboration with the Cable Natural History Museum to help educate the next generation of lake stewards about ways to preserve and protect our lakes and watershed for future generations.

In 1989, volunteers began a project of testing our waters as part of the state wide Citizen Lakes Monitoring Network (CLMN). Early on this involved only the use of a secchi disk to measure water clarity. Over the years, we have added temperature measurements at various depths and we ship water samples during the summer months to the state lab in Madison, Wisconsin where a qualified laboratory performs phosphorous and chlorophyll measurements for SCLA. Based on recommendations from our lake quality consultant, in 2014, we added dissolved oxygen level measurements at various depths as well as recording the lake water level periodically during the summer months. A summary report is generated annually by the Department of Natural Resources laboratory for each of the monitoring locations describing the overall Spider Lake water quality. These reports and detailed measurements are available to all for review at dnr.wi.gov/lakes/clmn. The water quality of Spider Lake remains consistently very good and these water quality measurements and monitoring help assure this will be the case for many years to come

Since the founding of the Spider Chain of Lakes in 1945, the health of our fishery has been a top priority. In previous decades the Department of Natural Resources had stocked walleye fry and fingerlings (1 to 1/1/2 inches long ) on a regular basis. Survival of these small fish has been estimated at less than 1 %. Recognizing that there was a major decline in Spider Lakes walleye population, in 2001 an aggressive program was started to stock extended growth walleyes into our chain of lakes. Estimated survival of these fish are over 80%. Since starting this program, to date over 50,000 of these fish have been stocked. All fish come from a DNR health certified fish farm.

Back in 2008, the DNR did a shock study and found 1 northern in their survey. Reports from fisherman tell of catching them back as early as 2000. It appears that the heaviest population of northerns are currently in Little Spider. No one knows at this time who illegally put these fish into our chain of lakes. We ask that anyone catching these fish, to please consider keeping it as part of your possession limit.

Thanks all for your support in keeping our waters and fishery healthy and pristine.

Volunteers on the Spider Chain of Lakes participate in Project LoonWatch, a program of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College in Ashland. Its aim is to protect common loons and their aquatic habitats through education, monitoring, and research. According to Project LoonWatch, there was an increase in the adult and juvenile loon populations from 2010 to 2015. Regardless, we need be vigilant in maintaining the proper habitat for loons on our lakes. Shoreline development, invasive species, ingestion of lead fishing tackle, water quality, and human disturbance are all things that can impact loon habitat.

In Wisconsin, harassment of loons is punishable with a fine and jail time, so please NEVER disturb loons while they are on their nests. Also, give loons a wide (200 foot) berth when they are on the water. Use long lenses and binoculars to watch them from afar. In addition to natural predators such as raccoons and eagles, the loons are at risk from anglers; ingesting lead fishing tackle is also a major problem with all water birds. A program called “Get the lead out” encourages anglers to replace lead tackle with similar products made from tin, bismuth, steel, tungsten, or ceramic. These items are available at your local tackle store. Be sure to dispose of old lead jigs and sinkers properly at a local hazardous waste collection facility.
Holiday weekends are especially disturbing to loons and other wildlife; the noise from fireworks and the increase in jet ski and boat traffic and wakes make it especially difficult at times for the baby loons. By all means enjoy the lake during the summer season, but please keep in mind that we share our lakes with others-- both people and wildlife -- and that we need to be courteous to all.

The Spider Chain of Lakes is linked through several channels that allow watercraft to travel from one lake to another. Maintenance of the channels from time-to-time is a project conducted by SCLA in conjunction with the appropriate governmental agencies.

For example, due to sustained low water levels on the lakes, the channel between Big and Little Spider was dredged in late 2007 to allow for easier passage. The project was accomplished and financed entirely by donations from association members. Barring severe drought, the results of this project should be sufficient for years to come.

SCLA cooperates with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the private property owner where the dam is located to monitor the lake water level at the dam on the south shore of Little Spider.