December 2, 2025 

To: Pickerel, Smoke, and Little Pickerel Lake Property Owners 

From: Pickerel Chain Lake Association (PCLA) Board of Directors 

Subject: Aeration System Operation on Pickerel, Little Pickerel and Smoke Lakes for the 2025/2026 Winter Season 

The property owners that abut Pickerel, Smoke, and Little Pickerel Lakes are notified by this letter that the PCLA will again be operating an aeration system on each lake of the chain during this upcoming 2025/2026 winter season. Caution should be used if and when using the lakes this winter season because the aeration systems will create large open water areas, weather conditions, and thin ice conditions can be expected as you extend out and away from the open water locations. 

Compressed air aerator systems consisting of airlines and diffusers laying on the lake bottom will be used again this winter in each lake. The location of the open water areas created by the aerators this winter are similar to the open areas present last year. 

The aeration systems are planned to be placed in operation once the lake ice is safe for foot travel in order for the installation of a post and rope open water warning system. This system will surround the anticipated open water areas. The post and rope warning systems will be placed in locations based on past experience of where the open water areas will develop. 

Reflective tape placed on the warning system posts and on marker plates attached to a rope strung between the posts will be used to provide day and nighttime visibility of the warning system. In addition, 9”x12” red corrugated plastic sheets will be attached to some of the poles to assist with daytime visibility of the warning system. 

Changing and variable weather conditions will impact the size of each open water area, so lake users should not assume the ice is safe at the rope location and should always check conditions prior to travel near the aeration systems or elsewhere on the lakes. 

Caution signs will also be placed at public access points to the lakes to alert lake users of the aeration systems. 

The PCLA has authority to operate the aeration systems under Wisconsin DNR permits and Wisconsin State Statute 167.26. This state statute exempts riparian property owners from liability for injury or death as a result of the open water condition if they warn those, they give permission to cross their property to enter the lakes of the existence of the ice hole or open water areas. The statute states this warning can be a direct warning or by posting a warning device on their property that complies with requirements set forth in the statute. We ask that you advise all users who are allowed to enter the lakes from your property of the aeration systems and the hazard the systems present. 

Please contact any of the PCLA board of director members if you have any questions regarding the aeration systems. 

Sincerely, 

Pickerel Chain Lake Association Board of Directors (Drew Zelle, Laure Haak, Mike Van Handel, Dennis Van Handel, Mike Schilz, Pari Schilz, Mark Zelle, Bridgette Janos, Laura Komperda, and Mae Enz)