Winter Kill ’26 on Silver Lake

A Summary of Events

  • In late January 2026, the Wisconsin DNR received reports from anglers on Silver Lake of a lack of fish on sonar and bait minnows dying in the water.

  • DNR biologists investigating the reports found dead fish — including bluegills and other panfish — and low dissolved oxygen levels in multiple basins; several dozen fish were initially documented.

  • Sampling across multiple sites (see map) by Fisheries Biologist Jason Breeggemann and Claire Hetzel confirmed low dissolved oxygen throughout the lake, with dead panfish observed in some locations using an underwater camera.

  • The leading explanation is oxygen depletion under ice — a common winter condition in shallow lakes — likely linked to high nutrient levels, a possible late-season algal bloom, and limited submerged vegetation producing oxygen beneath ice cover.

  • Additional water sampling is underway to determine whether oxygen decline resulted from natural biological processes or runoff inputs; early results show normal E. coli levels, ruling out an acute spill.

What’s Next?

  • Similar past events suggest some species may persist in limited refuge areas, but the full extent of this winterkill cannot be determined until after ice-out.

  • Testing and monitoring continue, with electrofishing surveys planned for spring — and possibly netting if conditions allow — to assess impacts.

  • Some media coverage has suggested the event may have eliminated an entire species locally and that recovery could take years; officials say the final impact assessment is pending survey results.

  • Findings from ongoing sampling and surveys will guide future management discussions, including whether aeration or other mitigation strategies should be considered.

Further reading

 

Updated: February 16, 2026 — 4:42 pm

2025 Lake Stewardship Awards

At the Manitowoc County Lakes Annual Banquet on October 11, we proudly recognized two extraordinary citizens whose commitment and service embody the very heart of the MCLA mission.

Mike Strebe

As a graduate of the Lake Leaders Program and President of the Town of Schleswig Sanitary District No. 1, Mike was instrumental in advancing a local ordinance to ban phosphorous fertilizers—preceding the statewide ban. He has overseen the weed harvesting program at Cedar Lake, serving both as a mechanic and operator. His commitment to addressing complex and often contentious lake management issues through diligent research reflects a deep dedication to environmental stewardship.

 

(l-r) MCLA President Jerry Corfman, Mike Strebe, and Mary Ann Waldbauer, Representative for Cedar Lake Improvement Association.

Vince Miller

Without being asked, for the last nineteen years from the time the ice goes out until it freezes the next winter, on a daily basis, Wince has been clearing various impediments from the Silver Lake overflow discharge grates. Hi ongoing passion and dedication exemplify what a volunteer should aspire to be!

 

(l-r) Brett Hubbartt, Silver Lake representative with Vince Miller.

Updated: December 9, 2025 — 4:03 pm

Nov 20 Meeting – Phragmites and Phosphorus Updates

 

The Nov 20, 2025 meeting of the Manitowoc County Lakes Association took place at 6:30pm at the County Office Complex, 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc, Room 300. Read the meeting minutes.

 

Planned agenda & guest speakers:

  • Kyle Herrman, Professor of Fisheries and Water Resources at UWSP and his graduate student Grace Hiley will give a brief presentation on the research regarding the phosphorous sorbing media that is planned to be used at the Carstens Lake project. They will also provide a plan on what will happen at the currently installed sedimentation basin next spring. About Kyle Herrman.
  • Valerie O’Connor and Izabelle Krieger will provide a Phragmites update from Glacierland RC&D. About Glacierland RC&D staff.
  • Lake stewardship award presentation to Mike Strebe, Cedar Lake.

5 to 7 minute social break.

  • MCLA general membership meeting
    1. Secretary’s report of 10/11/25 annual meeting/banquet currently posted on MCLA website, request for any corrections/additions.
    2. Treasurer’s report.
    3. Lake Representatives’ reports.
    4. Mark your calendars, 2026 meeting dates are 2/26/26, 4/23/26, 6/25/26, 8/27/26, 11/19/26. The 2026 annual meeting/banquet date will be hosted by Cedar Lake. Date and location are yet to be determined.
    5. Motion to adjourn.

Phragmites image by Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors from Stevenage, United Kingdom, CC BY-SA 2.0
Phosphorus image by Welcome1To1The1Jungle at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0

Updated: January 29, 2026 — 5:48 am

2025 Annual Banquet

READ THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THIS EVENT

Annual Banquet
Saturday, Oct 11, 2025

Location: Viking Bow and Gun Club, 13431 Rusch Rd, Valders
Organized and hosted by the English Lake Association in conjunction with MCLA.

Time: 4:00 PM – Social time with cash bar
5:30 PM – Buffet dinner catered by the Altona

Program to follow:

Phil DeCastro

Speaker: Phil DeCastro, Meteorologist at WLUK-TV FOX 11, Green Bay

Phil has been a meteorologist at WLUK-TV for 14 years, after spending 2 years at WLUC-TV in Marquette, Michigan. He has a degree in meteorology from Penn State University, and since coming to this region has developed a deep appreciation for the crucial links between weather, climate, and our local environment and ecosystems.

Annual meeting, election of officers, awards, 50/50 raffle and door prizes will follow the speaker. Door prize donations from Lake Associations or individuals are welcomed. Please inform Kim of door prize commitments.

RSVPs and door prize commitments due no later than Friday, October 3rd
to Kim Braun at kimskattebo@icloud.com or phone/text (920) 973-2390.

Cost: $20 per person, payable at the door, cash or check only payable to “MCLA.”

We look forward to seeing you at the banquet.

Updated: February 2, 2026 — 5:01 pm

DNR Fisheries Management Update Aug 28

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE UPCOMING MEETING OF THE MANITOWOC COUNTY LAKES ASSOCIATION

Date: Thursday, 8/28/25
Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Room 300
Manitowoc County Office Complex
4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc

9/5/25 Update:

  • August 28, 2025 General Meeting  |  meeting minutes  |  fisheries update
    DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist Jason Breeggemann was unable to attend. His fisheries update is linked above. Valerie O’Connor and Izabelle Krieger provided an update from Glacierland, available in the meeting minutes.

 

Planned agenda

Jason Breeggemann, DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist will provide a general overview of fisheries management activities in Manitowoc County. This will include a summary of spring surveys completed in 2024 and 2025 and a regulation update following the results of the spring hearing regulation change proposals. Valerie O’Connor and Izabelle Krieger will provide a 10-minute update from Glacierland RC&D.

5 to 7 minute social break.a young man wearing a cap and jacket holds a fish while standing in a boat on an inland lake or river

MCLA general membership meeting

1) Secretary’s report of 6/26/25 meeting, request for any corrections/additions

2) Treasurer’s report

3) Lake representatives reports

4) Newsletter update

5) The annual meeting/banquet for 2025 is being hosted by the English Lake Association and is on Saturday, October 11th at Viking Bow and Gun Club. Need lake stewardship award nomination information by 8/31/25.

6) Upcoming meeting schedule, November 20, 2025. Mark your calendars, The 2026 meeting dates are 2/26/26, 4/23/26, 6/25/26, 8/27/26, 11/19/26. The 2026 annual meeting/banquet date is to be determined.

7) Motion to adjourn

Updated: January 22, 2026 — 6:44 am

June 2025 meeting – DNR update and Wake Vote

JUNE 26, 2025 MANITOWOC COUNTY LAKES ASSOCIATION MEETING AGENDA

from Jerry Corfman, President

UPDATED: Meeting Minutes

 

Date: Thursday, 6/26/25 

Time: 6:30 PM

Location: Room 300, Manitowoc County Office Complex, 4319 Expo Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54245

Public Welcome

 

Planned agenda:

DNR conservation wardens Isaac Hackett and/or David Bennett will introduce themselves and give us an update on their schedules for Manitowoc County and answer questions from the audience.

 

5 to 7 minute social break.

 

MCLA general membership meeting

1) Secretary’s report of 4/17/25 meeting, request for any corrections/additions

2) Treasurer’s report

3) Lake representatives reports

4) MCLA Hazardous Wake resolution vote. (read more about the issue)

5) Upcoming meeting schedule, August 28, November 20, the annual meeting/banquet for 2025 is being hosted by the English Lake Association and is on Saturday October 11 th at Viking Bow and Gun Club. Tentative 2026 meeting dates are 2/26/26, 4/23/26, 6/25/26, 8/27/26, 11/19/26. 2026 annual meeting/banquet date and location are yet to be determined.

6) Motion to adjourn

Updated: July 31, 2025 — 1:35 pm

Emerald Ash Borer Field Day

Join us for an evening with expert professionals as we dive into learning about the continuing issue of EAB in Wisconsin!

Wednesday, April 16th from 4:00-7:00PM
Woodland Dunes Nature Center, Two Rivers, WI Read more

Updated: April 17, 2025 — 9:31 am

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention Announced

a text slide with a link to the 2025 Wis Lakes and Rivers Convention in March

MCLA may offer some cost sharing for attendees provided they bring information learned back to our organization. If anyone is interested, please inquire with us ASAP in time to get their reservation in.

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention

“The Power of Words: Working for Our Waters” 

March 26-28, 2025

Holiday Inn Convention Center, Stevens Point

The power of words is immense, especially when advocating for our waters. By raising awareness, promoting conservation efforts, and crafting compelling messages, words can inspire action and drive positive change to protect our water resources for future generations.

Convention Website with Registration info

Updated: April 14, 2025 — 11:19 am