On August 14, 2017 the entire littoral zone of Connors Lake was surveyed for EWM. This report shows changes in EWM population as seen in the 2018 PI survey. This survey involved a meandering of all areas with plants and viewing with a surface viewing scope and verified with rake samples as needed. All locations with EWM were recorded with GPS and given a rake density rating. In addition, two areas designated as mid-tolerant EWM areas were surveyed using a pre-established sample point grid.

This Aquatic Plant Management Plan for Connors Lake, Lake of the Pines, and Papoose Lake in Sawyer County Wisconsin presents a strategy for managing aquatic plants by protecting native plant populations, controlling the growth of Eurasian water milfoil (EWM), and preventing establishment of additional invasive species. The plan includes data about the plant community, watershed, and water quality of the lakes. Based on this data and public input, goals and strategies for the management of aquatic plants in the lake are presented. This plan will guide the Co/Pa/Pi Voluntary Lake Association and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in aquatic plant management for the lakes over the next five years (from 2017 through 2021).

In Sept, 2014 Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) was surveyed in Connors Lake. These EWM survey results were used to recommend treatment beds for 2015. These beds were evaluated and a discussion occurred to determine if all of Musky Bay should be treated. In the end, the Association determined that treating the smaller beds would be the best practice. On June 8, 2015 there were six EWM beds, totaling 3.46 acres treated with the herbicide 2,4-D (Navigate granular). The beds were delineated from the results of a survey conducted in fall, 2014. After treatment in June 2015, a survey was conducted to evaluate the treatment beds as well as survey for EWM throughout the entire lake. The herbicide treatment was determined to be successful. The pre-treatment frequency from 2014 showed a frequency of 100% within the treatment beds. After treatment that frequency was reduced to 9.1%. A chi-square analysis shows the frequency reduction was statistically significant. In September 2015, the EWM is limited in growth scattered throughout Musky Bay, which is where the EWM has most commonly been growing. The EWM is widely scattered within this bay with only five locations with EWM having a density of “2”. No locations with a density of “3” were observed. It appears that this robust, native plant community may be keeping the EWM scattered and not reaching dense, monotypic growth. It is not recommended to treat small beds of EWM in this region in 2016 as the effectiveness will be reduced in small beds and the EWM growth is too limited to warrant such an application.

EWM analysis

Connors Lake

Lake of the Pines

Little Papoose Lake