Summer 2026
Issue 47
May 2026: Water testing starts again. (Image credit: Laure Haak)
From Your Association President
Drew Zelle | dmzelle48@gmail.com | 920-209-0564
Summer is the time of year when the lakes get busy and we enjoy what we have here on our three lakes. We have had a stretch of great weather which results in an excellent time to be on the lakes.
We have three main events this summer:
Annual Members Meeting
Our Annual Members Meeting will be 20 June at 9 am at the Townsend Town Hall. Please plan on attending as we will discuss past and future activities of this organization. You should have received an agenda via email. You can also access the agenda on the Governance page of the PCLA website.
Poker Run
We are hosting our first Poker Run the evening of 20 June, from 5-7pm. You can purchase your poker chips at the Annual Members Meeting and later that day, at the Oughton Park landing after 4:30 pm. Any floating boat is welcome to participate whether powered by motor, oars, or paddle. More info about the Poker Run is on our Events page.
Annual Picnic July 18th
This is our only fund-raising event this year so please come out and support our efforts at this event. We are looking for volunteers to help with prizes, raffles, and tickets. Please contact me or one of the board members to sign up (email BoardPCLA@gmail.com) ! Prize baskets are always a big hit and donations are welcome. Please contact Michelle Zelle michellezelle67@gmail.com with donations.
Thanks to all who have helped the association this past year. We cannot do this without volunteers and your help is needed and appreciated.
Have a great summer!
Drew Zelle
Upcoming Events: Spring and Summer 2026
June 20: Annual Members Meeting, 9 am at the Townsend town hall.
June 20: PCLA Boat Poker Run, 5pm-7pm, starts at Oughton Park. Info on Events page.
July 19: Annual PCLA Picnic, 3-7 pm, Oughton Park
PCLA Programs
Clean Boats Clean Waters
Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) an ongoing PCLA program of major importance. Thank you to Barb Coonen Trudell for serving as our Inspector Coordinator this year! She has a team of inspectors who are meeting boaters at the Oughton Park boat landing weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The goal of CBCW is to educate boaters about aquatic invasive species. We are particularly working to prevent Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels from entering the Pickerel Chain Lakes. Please support our efforts by ensuring that your boats, trailers, fishing equipment, and dry wells are clean and weed free when you take them in and out of the lake. It is especially important for your guests to be aware of this too. More about this program including information about milfoil and mussells is on our CBCW page.
Water Quality Monitoring
We continue to monitor the health of the Pickerel Chain Lakes through monthly water quality monitoring and reporting to the WDNR. We test for water clarity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and phosphates. More about this Citizens Lake Monitoring Network and to see water quality reports, see our CLMN program page.
Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring
We are constantly scanning for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). If you see a weed or mussel that looks suspicious, please contact the PCLA at BoardPCLA@gmail.com. Early detection is key. More about zebra mussells, purple loosestrife, and Eurasian watermilfoil on our AIS page.
You can get hands-on experience identifying water plants and telling the difference between northern and eurasian watermilfoil. Oconto County Land Conservation and the Oconto County Lakes and Waters Association (OCLAWA) are hosting Snapshot Day on 8 August. Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local conservation groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (AIS). You can help protect Wisconsin’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands from these invasive plants and animals that may negatively impact habitat, wildlife, recreation and health. For more information, see the OCLAWA Events webpage.
Flora and Fauna
We now have goose and swan babies floating around the lake. Meanwhile, under the water, the bluegills and rock bass are busy making and defending their nests.
The loons returned in April. It looks like they have abandoned their first clutch of eggs and have laid a second clutch. Please be careful and quiet as you pass the nest.
Loon eggs, June 2026. Loon eggs usually hatch in mid to late June. It is unusual for the eggs to be open like this and it may indicate the nest has been abandoned. This can happen if the nest is disturbed by rising water levels, black flies, or human activity. (Image Credit: Laure Haak)
