Since 2013, we have been actively working to rebuild the Pickerel Chain Lake waterway fisheries.
What we do
Winter fish kills, due to lack of sufficient oxygen in the water, have periodically struck the Pickerel Chain, with earliest reports from the 1960s. The most recent event was in winter 2012-2013. The non-profit Pickerel Chain Lake Association was established in 2013, with the goal of protecting and rehabilitating the interconnected waterway of Pickerel, Smoke, and Little Pickerel lakes (the Pickerel Chain). PCLA is a 501(c)3 membership organization, open to anyone who supports our mission or owns land on or within one mile of the lakes.
PCLA carries out a number of activities:
restoring and sustaining a balanced and healthy fishery,
engaging in projects to prevent future winter kill occurrences,
conducting scientific research to understand water quality issues and take actions to improve conditions where possible,
monitoring for aquatic plant and invasive species issues,
communicating and educating on ways to enhance boating and recreational safety, and,
cooperating and communicating with other lake users, bodies of government and their agencies, other lake organizations, and the general public.
In 2014, the PCLA installed a diffused air aeration system on Pickerel Lake. Diffused air and aspirating systems were installed on Little Pickerel Lake in 2017 and Smoke Lake in 2018. These systems are designed to create and maintain open water during the winter, allowing for atmospheric exchange of oxygen and should prevent fish kills and allow fish populations to recover.
We also participate in citizen’s monitoring of aquatic invasive species (AIS), lake water quality monitoring network (CLMN), and the Clean Boats Clean Waters program (CBCW). The Pickerel Chain is one of the few lake ecosystems in the area without zebra mussels or eurasian watermilfoil and we are doing what we can to keep the lakes healthy. Our latest Comprehensive Lake Management Plan was developed with the Oconto County Land Conservation Department and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2023.
To maintain the aerators, purchase fish for stocking, pay boat inspectors, and establish a fund for AIS mitigation, we raise funds through grants, annual dues, and community activities including summer brat fries and an annual lake picnic, held in July each year.
Our Governance
The PCLA was founded by Steve Heimerman in 2013. Jim Lamers served as PCLA Board Chair from 2016-2023 and Past-Chair until 2024. Mary Longlais served as Treasurer from 2013-2024. Steve and Jim set up the association and put in place the aeration systems. We are forever grateful to Steve and Jim and Mary and the many volunteers who have supported PCLA activities.
The Board has a monthly meeting, during which it plans fundraising activities and oversees various activities including aerator maintenance, water quality testing, Clean Boats Clean Water Program, and AIS monitoring. The Board prepares an annual budget, which is reviewed at the Annual Members Meeting, and operates following that budget.
PCLA Officers
President: Drew Zelle (Smoke Lake) 2023-2025
Treasurer: Pari Schilz (Pickerel Lake Flowage) 2024-2026
Secretary: Laure Haak (Pickerel Lake) 2023-2025
At Large Directors
Brigitte Janos (Smoke Lake) 2023-2025
Mike Schilz (Pickerel Lake Flowage) 2022-2024
Dennis van Handel (Pickerel Lake) 2022-2024
Mike van Handel (Pickerel Lake) 2022-2024
Mark Zelle (Little Pickerel Lake) 2022-2024
PCLA Membership
Membership in the Pickerel Chain Lake Association is open to any individual, family, business, or organization, that (a) subscribes to the purpose of the Association, or (b) owns or leases property within one mile of the lakes for which the Association was incorporated; or (c) resides on or within one mile of the lake at least one month each year. Membership dues are $25.00 per year.
Elections
The Board is elected by the Association membership at the PCLA Annual Members meeting. The Board includes the Officers President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer; four at-large Directors; and the past-President. At least one member of the Board is from each of the three lakes in the Association. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, additional at-large Directors can be added to the Board of Directors if interest exists, not to exceed a maximum of eight at-large positions.
Board Committees (2023)
The Executive Committee (chair, Drew Zelle) includes all Board Officers. The Committee is responsible for the Lake Management Plan, oversight of all grant-making activities, and identifying the PCLA Oconto County Lakes and Waters Association (OCLAWA) representative.
The Audit Committee (chair, TBD)is comprised of up to three unrelated and impartial Association Members who will review the financial transactions of the Association within 3 months of the close of the fiscal year and assure that all receipts, expenses, and accounts are appropriate. They will also audit any major fundraising activity upon the conclusion of such activity
The Aeration Project Committee (co-chairs Jim Lamers and Mike van Handel) maintains aerator installations as a practical solution to the historic winter kill problem on our lakes. They engage with DNR representatives, engineering firms, other aerator system lake groups, etc., to determine what systems and what locations will give us the best chance for sustaining appropriate levels of dissolved oxygen for over-winter survival, as well as fish stocking plans. The Aeration and Fishery Committee is responsible for aerators, including annual letter to Members, maintenance, installation, poles and reflectors, monitoring, and take-out. The Committee makes a report on aerators and recommendations for fish stocking at the Annual Membership Meeting.
The Water Quality Committee (chair, Laure Haak) is responsible for Citizens Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) water quality testing, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) monitoring, and the Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) program, including recruiting and training inspectors, submitting the annual CBCW grant, requesting approval from the Members for annual expenditures for the CBCW inspector program, entering all CLMN, AIS, and CBCW data into SWIMS, and submitting end of year reports to the DNR to qualify for reimbursement. The Committee makes a report on water quality, AIS, and inspection plans at the Annual Membership Meeting. The Committee shall offer proposals to the Board regarding water quality management, algae control, and ecological management of Pickerel Lake, Smoke Lake, and Little Pickerel Lake.
The Fundraising Committee (chair, Michelle Zelle) recommends fundraising and social activities to the Board and, after receiving Board approval, plans and organizes such activities, coordinates fundraising targets with the Executive Committee, and is responsible for reporting fundraising results at the Annual Membership Meeting.