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  • 02/27/2025 5:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Town of Spider Lake Boating Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee (BOAHC) presented its findings and recommendations to the town board of supervisors on February 26, 2025.  

    Key Recommendations include:

    • Enact an ordinance to prohibit wake surfing and all activities that use “enhanced wakes” in the Town of Spider Lake
    • Retain the hours for water skiing on the Spider Chain of Lakes:  11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    • Enforcement:  focus on education, evaluation of key components, and implementation of a plan that meets the needs of the town

    For details and a copy of the presentation login to the MEMBER NEWS page.


  • 02/24/2025 6:39 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Excerpt from Sawyer County Record 2/26/25

    by Matthew Baughman

    HAYWARD — Just before crossing the finish line, first place winner of the Elite Men’s race for the 51st American Birkebeiner Gérard Agnellet, from La Clusaz in France, skied over to the crowd on his right to give some high fives. Answering in French, Agnellet said it was something that just happened in the heat of the moment.

    “I came around the corner and I didn’t know how much of a lead I had or if I had time to stop or not,” he said, as interpreted by a translator. “I turned around, didn’t see anyone and then I wanted to start thanking some people and greeting people who were cheering for me.”

    Agnellet was the first to cross the finish line on Saturday, completing the 50k course with a time of 2:27 and a gap in the lead. Following only a couple minutes behind, David Norris from Steamboat Springs, Colo., placed second in the Elite Men’s race with a time of 2:29.

    The next group of racers to cross the finish did so in a sprint. Sydney Palmer- Leger from Park City, Utah, passed first with a time of 2:54, securing first for the Elite Women’s race at her first ever American Birkebeiner. Following in the sprint, Jessica Yeaton from Steamboat Springs, Colo., placed second for women with 2:54, Lauren Jortberg from South Londonderry, Vt., placed third for women with 2:54 and Michael Earnhart from Eagle River, Ark., placed third for men with 2:30. For the group of elites, it was a mad dash to cross the finish.

    “We had about nine girls the whole race, working and taking leads from each person a little bit,” said Palmer- Leger, describing how the head-to-head race came to be. “I tried going at the fish hatchery, that is about 8k to go… and that is where it spread out a tiny bit. It came back together, as I wanted to have a lead a little later in the course and that didn’t really play out, so it was a sprint to the end. It played out pretty well.”

    Sharing her perspective, Yeaton said, “Going over the bridge, I was like, ‘I’ll go for it.’ Then I saw myself in second; Lauren was there but her pole was broken… She was really impressive with one pole. But honestly, I am in shock over it. I did not think with the group that was there I would end up in second.”

    Jortberg added more onto the story and said that it was somewhere around the lake as Norris passed them that her ski pole broke.

    “So, I skied the whole lake with one pole,” she said. “Thankfully there was a very speedy and kind, super tall junior boy, and I was screaming my lungs out to try and get someone to get a pole.”

    But it was still a challenge for her to keep pace, as she said the pole was likely designed for someone much taller than herself. Despite that, she said it helped her secure third place.


  • 02/06/2025 9:06 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    NEW Snails!

    A new Aquatic Invasive Species was discovered in July 2024 by an SCLA Lake Monitor. Chinese Mystery Snails were found near the Heinemann Road boat launch. Samples were taken to Sawyer County AIS Coordinator, Natalie Erler, who made a positive identification. Since then, they have been observed in additional areas on the south end of Little Spider. This snail can grow up to 3 inches tall and is dark in color. There is no known remediation for this snail except manually removing them from the lake. They can be removed from the water and disposed of properly.

    Banded Mystery Snails have been in Big Spider for several years. Originally only seen in a couple of areas such as Steamboat Island, they have since migrated to other areas in Big Spider and the north end of Little Spider. These snails grow to a size of 1.5 inches and have distinctive concentric bands encircling the snail. There is no known remediation for this snail except manually removing them from the lake.

    Removing snails from the lake should be done with gloves since they can leave a long-lasting odor or stain on your hands.

    Negative Impact of Snails:

    1. The snails only live for 1-2 years and can die off in large numbers, causing a foul odor on the shoreline.

    2. The snails cling to all surfaces including docks and boat lifts.

    3. The shell of the snail is sharp when broken down and can cause injury to bare feet.

    The Spider Chain of Lakes has native snails as well, generally much smaller in size than Banded and Chinese Mystery Snails. 

    NEWLY EXPANDING - NARROW LEAF CATTAIL

    Several years ago, a new invasive plant was detected: “Narrow Leaf cattail.”  There is now a significant patch in the East Bay of Big Spider. In 2025, SCLA leaders plan to work with landowners to help coordinate mitigation efforts. 

    While this cattail looks like native cattail, it grows aggressively and can take over a shoreline. If you see this plant please report it. 

    The SCLA Rapid Response Plan Works! SCLA is fortunate to have a Lake Monitor Program of trained member volunteers, an active Aquatic Invasive Species and Water Quality Committee, and an involved Board of Directors who are all committed to protecting the Spider Chain of Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species. 

    Please report suspect samples to SpiderChainOfLakes@gmail.com ATTN: AIS & Water Quality Committee or Sawyer County AIS Coordiinator, Natalie Erler (715-634-6463). 

    For an easy to print copy of the SCLA RAPID RESPONSE PLAN go to the Spider Lake Catalog of Invasive Species page of the SCLA website.

  • 02/02/2025 12:44 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    WDNR Spider Lake Musky Research Project Update From Max Wolter

    Over 30 SCLA families have donated to this WDNR project by "adopting" a fish to track progress in one of the most extensive studies of musky and pike ever done in Spider Lake.

    In 2024, the Hayward WDNR Fish Team and Spooner WDNR fish researchers embarked on a groundbreaking study to understand how northern pike and musky interact and compete. The study, funded by donations from the Spider Lake and musky communities, uses innovative technology to track fish and improve understanding of all elements of the aquatic ecosystem.

    Results of the project will lead to well informed strategies for improving the Spider Chain fishery

    While not a SCLA project, we are supporting it by communicating with all stakeholders via SCLA website and emails

    UPDATES from Max Wolter,  WDNR Senior Fisheries Biologist

    February 2025:  In 2025 the project moves to a new phase:

    • Receivers on the lake are collecting data on the movement of 35 tagged pike and muskies
    • The first round of data will be retrieved in February
    • Other data will be downloaded throughout the year, providing a detailed understanding of fish movements and interactions across seasons, something that has never been done for these two species anywhere
    • Other plans for 2025 include more fyke netting to capture muskies and estimate the total number of adult muskies in the Spider Chain of Lakes
    • An additional five tags will be put in large female muskies

    A survey of northern pike after a year of aggressive harvest by anglers is planned for 2025. We will remove all pike that appear in this survey. Stay tuned for updates in 2025!

    LEARN MORE: Background - go to 2024 Spring SpiderLines article (p. 18) by Max Wolter, WDNR Fisheries Biologist. To download the presentation from the July 5, 2024 "Kick-Off" meeting click here.

    October 2024:  Download "Meet The Fish!" October 2024 report here.

    July 12, 2024:  Colin and I were very pleased with the kickoff meeting last week! I attached the presentation from the meeting for anyone who was unable to attend Please let us know if that generates any questions we can answer!

    June 2024: The WDNR Fisheries Team from Hayward and WDNR Research Team from Spooner have been working hard to ramp up the Spider Lake Musky and Pike Project. This spring saw a flurry of survey activity, with a netting effort shortly after ice-out targeting walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. Several electrofishing surveys are also being conducted, targeting bass and panfish in addition to the previously mentioned species. 

    This is a larger survey effort than we have previously attempted on Spider Lake. In fact, it is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survey efforts in northern Wisconsin in recent history.  At the end of the year we should have estimates to the total number of northern pike and walleye. In 2025 we will complete an estimate of the total number of muskellunge.

    Several hundred northern pike were removed during the survey effort. We encourage anglers to harvest pike they catch as well 

    This WDNR project has been supported by private individuals and groups both locally and statewide. This project is the first of its kind for these species. The high tech equipment and approach will lead to insights into the fishery and will help us develop strategies to maximize opportunities for muskellunge and improved quality of pike.

    The equipment is also pricey, and any additional financial support is welcome! If you or your family want to “sponsor” a tagged fish please reach out to max.wolter@wisconsin.gov. Project donors will receive periodic updates about what their fish is up to. All research and survey results will be shared with the Spider Chain of Lakes Association over time as the project progresses. We expect the project to last 2-4 years.


  • 02/01/2025 3:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Thanks to Dave Mickelson and Cate Amery a NEW educational brochure was inserted into the property tax bill of every household in the Town of Spider Lake.  The brochure highlights how ALL OWNERS AND VISITORS can protect the water and land in our beautiful area by participating in invasive species control.

    Click here for a copy.  Share with your friends and neighbors!

    LEARN MORE about Invasives on Spider Lake: go to the Spider Lake Catalog of Invasive Species on the SCLA website.

    Thanks too, to the Quiet Lakes Improvement Association, for their help funding the cost of the brochure.

  • 01/29/2025 4:52 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Summer 2025 Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference returns to Hayward High School!!  

    This is a terrific opportunity to hear from professionals who work in lake management, fishery, and best practices for shoreland owners.

    DATE:  JUNE 20, 2025

    LOCATION:  HAYWARD HIGH SCHOOL

    DETAILS:  Click Here 

    Take a friend and enjoy seminars and chats with others who love lakes (and you don't have to drive to Spooner!). 

    For a peek at the 2024 NW Wisc. Lakes Conference (and later for the agenda for 2025) go to NWWISLAKESCONFERENCE.org



  • 01/29/2025 10:04 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Like Reading Spider LINES?

    volunteer to become a Spider Lines Journalist!

    Email SpiderChainOfLakes@gmail.com ATTN: Spider Lines Journalist

  • 01/29/2025 9:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    SCLA IS TURNING 70!!!

    Like many in our community who preceded it, the Spider Chain of Lakes Association turns 70 this year.

    Join us in planning a celebration this summer, including bringing back the 4th of July BOAT DECORATING CONTEST.

    To join the SCLA BIRTHDAY TEAM send an email to SpiderChainOfLakes@gmail.com

  • 01/04/2025 2:51 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The 2025 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention is taking place March 26-28 in Stevens Point. 

    Learn from experts, grassroots organizers, and passionate water advocates!

    Engage in the pre- and post-convention workshops and 60+ concurrent sessions.

    Enhance your network of water-focused professionals and citizens by connecting with attendees, speakers, and exhibitors. 

    A virtual option will be available for concurrent sessions on Thursday (all day) and Friday morning.

    Learn more at wisconsinwaterweek.org.  

    Reserve Your Lodging Now!

    The Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center is the location for the 2025 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention. 


  • 07/19/2024 5:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    To learn about the Spider Lake Musky Research Project go to 2024 Spring SpiderLines article (p. 18) by Max Wolter, WDNR Fisheries Biologist. Or download the article here.  To download the presentation from the July 5, 2024 "Kick-Off" meeting click here.

    UPDATES from Max Wolter:

    July 12, 2024:  Colin and I were very pleased with the kickoff meeting last week! I attached the presentation from the meeting for anyone who was unable to attend Please let us know if that generates any questions we can answer!

    After the meeting, the excitement for the project was contagious. In fact, my team wasted no time getting back out there to continue our work. We spent a day this week looking for juvenile pike and musky. It’s going to be a challenge, but we are learning a lot about what’s possible there. The photo below shows a pike we caught that was born this year. They are currently about 3” long, which creates a bit of a “needle in a haystack” scenario with all the expansive weedy bays.  

    June 2024: The WDNR Fisheries Team from Hayward and WDNR Research Team from Spooner have been working hard to ramp up the Spider Lake Musky and Pike Project. This spring saw a flurry of survey activity, with a netting effort shortly after ice out targeting walleye, northern pike and muskellunge. Several electrofishing surveys are also being conducted, targeting bass and panfish in addition to the previously mentioned species. 

    This is a larger survey effort than we have previously attempted on Spider Lake. In fact, it is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survey efforts in northern Wisconsin in recent history. At the end of the year we should have estimates to the total number of northern pike and walleye. In 2025 we will complete an estimate of the total number of muskellunge.

    Several hundred northern pike were removed during the survey effort. We encourage anglers to harvest pike they catch as well (remember, the bag limit has been increased to 10 per day!). WDNR teams are also working to deploy tags in muskellunge and northern pike and a sophisticated array of sensors to track their movement and interactions.

    This project has been supported by private individuals and groups both locally and statewide. This project is the first of its kind for these species. The high tech equipment and approach will lead to insights into the fishery and will help us develop strategies to maximize opportunities for muskellunge and improved quality of pike.

    The equipment is also pricey, and any additional financial support is welcome! If you or your family want to “sponsor” a tagged fish please reach out to max.wolter@wisconsin.gov. Project donors will receive periodic updates about what their fish is up to. All research and survey results will be shared with the Spider Chain of Lakes Association over time as the project progresses. We expect the project to last 2-4 years.


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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Spider Chain of Lakes Association
PO Box 1082 • Hayward, WI 54843SpiderChainOfLakes@gmail.com

Spider Chain of Lakes Association is a Wisconsin 501(c)3 Corporation. Contributions are tax deductible where allowed by law. 
SCLA Tax ID is 39-1480182.

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