Topic: Paddling Pickerel Lake
started by: MADDOG
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 16 2007,6:27 pm
| Quote |
| Paddling Pickerel Lake Discover Pickerel Lake this year by taking part in a canoe trip, as organized by the Shell Rock River Watershed District in partnership with School District 241 Community Education. Did you know … That Pickerel Lake is larger than Fountain Lake? That Pickerel Lake is unique in that water flows north from it? That Pickerel Island was once farmed for potatoes and other vegetables, and then for strawberries and apples? That a road once allowed the island’s farmer to transport his equipment and crops to and from the island? See these facts first-hand by climbing in a canoe and picking up a paddle. These canoe adventures will: Educate people on the value of local resources Reveal how the water quality of a shallow prairie lake changes over the summer season Showcase recreational opportunities in the watershed Dates and times for Pickerel Lake will be: 4 p.m. Friday, April 27 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25 The canoe events are open to the public, ages 14 and older. All participants must sign a liability waiver. To register, call the Watershed District at 377-5785 or stop at the watershed office on the second floor of the historic county courthouse. The fee is $10 per canoe event, and includes use of canoes, paddles and life jackets, along with a snack. Wearing a life jacket is mandatory and people are encouraged to bring their own life jackets for the optimal fit. This event is limited to 22 paddlers, so call soon to reserve a seat. Registrations will close 24 hours before the event time. The District chose Pickerel Lake for these canoe adventures because it’s the top of watershed. That means the lake is the highest-elevated lake in the watershed. Water flows from Pickerel into Fountain Lake, and then into Albert Lea Lake, which is the head waters of the Shell Rock River. The water in Pickerel Lake affects all those resources downstream, and beyond to the Mississippi River. The District is working with the Department of Natural Resources on a lake reclamation plan for Pickerel Lake. The goal is to restore the fish population to the native northern pike and yellow perch. Carp now dominate the fish population in the lake, hurting the water quality by stirring up the bottom sediment and making the water cloudy. The cloudy water prevents healthy aquatic plants from growing. The lack of plants means less food and habitat for fish and waterfowl. Plants would also help keep the water clear by holding the bottom sediment in place. See the potential of Pickerel Lake by joining these canoe adventures! Trivia Question What size is Pickerel Lake? a) 550 acres b) 620 acres c) 2,600 acres The answer is b) 620 acres. If counting Mud Lake at its outlet, Pickerel encompasses 715 acres. Fountain Lake is 550 acres and Albert Lea Lake is 2,600 acres. Pickerel’s average depth ranges from 3 to 6 feet. Thank you, Connie Kaupa Shell Rock River Watershed www.shellrock.org 507-377-5785 |
Good be fun and informative.
Thanks Connie and the SRRWD Board.
Posted by provok51 on Apr. 16 2007,8:27 pm
The facts are interesting! Have any more?
Posted by grassman on Apr. 16 2007,10:40 pm
If you drained it now, just think of the size of the vegetables! Just kidding, I would like to see some sort of deepening of that lake. These days where everything has a cash value, it must be there, but not considered yet. Mix the bottom with sludge of the sewer plant, that is already going on farmland. put it on lowland and raise the level of that area. Now you got high land and fertile soil to grow some corn. Put that corn into the nonconsumable such as ethonal, everyone wins! See it really isn't that hard. My wife tells me I think too much! 
Posted by Self-Banished on Apr. 17 2007,3:12 am
grassman, get on the bike and go for a ride, it'll make you feel better.
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 25 2007,12:22 pm
I wanted to roll this back to the top to remind anyone who might want to take this canoe tour.< See Pickerel Lake on a canoe trip >
I for one, wish I could make it. Unforunately, I can't.
Posted by Counterfeit Fake on Apr. 25 2007,9:34 pm
Yeah, would be a great time I am sure. Wish I could go.
Posted by usmcr on Apr. 25 2007,9:51 pm
about 55 years ago we lugged a canoe with all our gear out the old rr tracks from south side out to pickeral lake. we camped on the south shore & canoed out to the island. i do not figure any of our young adults would even consider such a stunt today! i do not believe the lake has changed much over the years. if i remember correctly it used to be a great bullhead lake. anybody know who & why the channel was put in on the east side of the lake by the old hwy?
Posted by Liberal on Apr. 25 2007,10:37 pm
Didn't someone get stuck out on that island in the early 80's?
Posted by MADDOG on Apr. 26 2007,3:21 pm
For any one who would like to go, call them now.| Quote |
| This event is limited to 22 paddlers, so call soon to reserve a seat. Registrations will close 24 hours before the event time. |
Posted by hairhertz on Apr. 26 2007,3:23 pm
Back in pioneer times, they'd use pitch folks to load wagons full of pickeral during the spawning season. That would have been something to have seen.