From Ted Ritter: Another AIS infestation....

HEADS UP TO NORTHERN ONEIDA & SOUTHERN VILAS COUNTIES

The Rhinelander DNR office has confirmed another Eurasian water-milfoil (EWM) infestation. This one is just below the Dam Lake dam in an area of the Sugar Camp Creek unofficially known as Eskimo Lake. Nicole Nikolaus of the DNR reported that boat trailers parked at an undeveloped, but seemingly popular, boat launch site contained substantial amounts of EWM. The infestation is apparently well established.

This confirmation follows the diligent efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Hodkiewicz who detected EWM on a trailer that was about to launch a boat in Muskellunge Lake in the town of Cloverland earlier this fall. The boat owner was fully cooperative when asked where the boat had been last and did not launch the boat without first cleaning the boat and trailer. While Eskimo Lake is not recognized as an Oneida County water body name, Mr. and Mrs. Hodkiewicz were able to determine the location of the lake and the undeveloped boat landing which in turn lead to the infestation confirmation. Kudos to Mr. and Mrs. Hodkiewicz.

It is hoped that this information will prompt appropriate surveillance of Dam Lake, the Sugar Camp Creek and other nearby water bodies for possible additional EWM infestations.

Ted Ritter
Vilas Co. AIS Coordinator
330 Court Street
Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: (715) 479-3738
Fax: (715) 479-1978