What you can do to help Lake Mitchell

Phosphorus, which helps grow green luscious lawns, promotes weed-growth in lakes. Just leaving the last few yards of lawn near the lakeshore phosphorus-free isn’t enough. Studies show that phosphorus reaches lake waters from all parts of a lakeshore lot. Fertilizers have three-number labels; the middle number indicates phosphorus content. The numbers 30-0-4 on a package of fertilizer indicates there is no phosphorus. Without doubt, phosphorus in lawn fertilizer is a major contributor to Lake Mitchell’s weed problem.

Helsel’s Nursery, 13^th Street Market and Cafe located at the corner of 13^th Street and M-115 has phosphorus-free fertilizer: 50 pound bag of 25-0-15 costs $14.89, 50 pound bag of 27-0-8 costs 16.89. 

For more detailed information about lawn care the establishment of a greenbelt -- Click Here.

While most operate their Wave Runners responsibly, those who race close to shore, docks, and other boats frustrate and anger lake users. PWC’s must be operated at slow no-wake speeds under these conditions:

Fisherman become especially irate when Jet Skis and Wave Runners operate their watercraft in the evening. Michigan Law makes it illegal to run personal watercraft in the last hour before sunset or before 8 AM.

To report unsafe or illegal PWC or boating activities call Wexford County Sheriff at 779-9211or DNR at 1-800-292-7800. For a complete listing of boating regulations click here or go to the  DNR or Sheriff offices.

The parasite that causes swimmer’s itch uses ducks and snails as hosts before infesting humans. Children often are most affected because their skin may be more sensitive, and they spend time playing in shallow water where the swimmer’s itch parasites are more concentrated.

Infected swimmers may notice red spots within a half-hour of leaving the water. These spots may enlarge for the next 24-30 hours and may itch for a week. Toweling off may help. Others find protection by applying baby oil before swimming or taking a shower after leaving the water.

By not feeding ducks, not only will you help prevent the spread of swimmer’s itch but, if fed, ducks (and geese) will congregate in that area leaving copious among of duck poop on lawns and docks.

More information about swimmer’s itch is found on our website.

Rather than maintain a lawn to the water’s edge, consider allowing natural vegetation to grow in the last three to six feet leading to the lake.

This will slow runoff before it enters the water, allowing sediments, excess nutrients, and other pollutants to settle out. Uncontrolled runoff will alter the habitat of crayfish, mayfly larvae, and fish as well as increase phosphorus loads into the lake. Leaving a strip of natural vegetation between your lawn and the water’s edge is one of the best things you can do to maintain our lake’s water quality.

It is quite likely that Eurasian milfoil first rode into Lake Mitchell on a boat. It probably was nothing more than a fragment wound in a propeller or twisted onto the frame of a boat trailer. But once in the lake, in a matter of years, it had created thousands of plants.

Although no zebra mussels have been found in our lake, we need to be vigilant in our inspection of boats entering the lake to keep those tiny snails out. The Michigan Sea Grant College program offers the following suggestions for protecting our lake:

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