Learning Center

We have compiled a great deal of information available to everyone about Kangaroo Lake and surrounding areas. Our goal is to preserve and improve the health of this beautiful natural resource.

Comprehensive Lake Management Plan - 2018

We worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Onterra LLC to update our Comprehensive Lake Management Plan in 2018.

In addition to the Plan:

  1. Onterra made a presentation of the findings at KLA's annual meeting in July 2018,
  2. a Stakeholder Survey was conducted,
  3. Water Quality data was collected and organized,
  4. Further analysis was done of Kangaroo Lake's watershed, and
  5. The lake's aquatic plants were surveyed.

Here are the Plan's Appendices containing this additional information.

Comprehensive Lake Management Plan - 2004

We worked with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and NES Ecological Services to prepare a Comprehensive Lake Management Plan 2004.

Invasive Species Of Concern In Kangaroo Lake Area.

Introduction. An invasive species is an alien plant that has been brought into a new area, survived and reproduced in this new environment. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the native plants that we have on our properties. These invasive plants become abundant in a new location, including woodlands, open spaces or wetlands, because they can proliferate very rapidly or shade out native species. Their pace of reproduction seems uncontrolled, and their growth rate exceeds that of our native plants resulting in their becoming the dominant species in an ecosystem. For comparison, a weed in popular terminology is an alien plant introduced onto cultivated land, and one that can be controlled by the cultivator. Thus, an invasive species uncontrolled by humans can have a major impact on a local environment, and can change the ecology of a particular area. You will observe these features of an invasive plant when you work to remove them from your property. If you do nothing about invasive plants, they will continue to increase and take over portions of your property.

As a property owner you are responsible for removal of invasive species from your property, but local help on how to do so is available. A local organization, the Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST), in the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, Sturgeon Bay, can help you get started in your fight against Japanese Barberry or other invasive species. Upon your request it will host a 'how-to-do-it' work session at your property on how to proceed. Some tools are available for loan. Contact that Department (746-2214), [email protected] for more information on help sessions. The KLA has two Root Wrenches available for loan (839-2536). As an alternative to removing the invasive plants yourself, you may choose to hire someone to do the work.

Invasive species also occur in lakes and, like those on land, they can become a threat to the ecology of the lake in that they compete with native aquatic plants for habitat. As lake stewards we are responsible for recognizing and removing invasive species from the lake. The DNR is very concerned about the occurrence of these invasive species and provide matching funds as grants to aid us to help control or eradicate invasive plants from the lake. The DCIST and DNR can help us get started in our fight against these plants.

Our Kangaroo Lake website will add other invasive plants as appropriate. You can observe more pictures of specific plants on the DNR website.  The book, Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest (Czarapata), includes both plant identification and methods of control. We thank the DNR for use of photographs from its invasive species website.

Information on several Invasive Plants around and in Kangaroo Lake are described below.

Land Invasive Plants
Aquatic Invasive Plants
Aquatic Invasive Animals
Other Aquatic Invasives

VHS.   Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia is a fish disease somewhat recently found in fish of the Great Lakes including Lake Michigan. For more information on VHS and its impact on Wisconsin Lakes visit the DNR Site.

At present we do not have VHS in Kangaroo Lake, but it could be brought into our lake if fisherman use infected minnow bait, or when infected fish jump into the lake. To avoid VHS getting into our lake we:

  1. Must keep the fish screen on the dam grates throughout the year, as the DNR requires, to prevent spawning fish, like Lake Michigan carp and suckers, from jumping over the dam and into Kangaroo Lake.
  2. By requiring that all fishermen follow the DNR rules when using live fish bait (such as minnows). All purchased live fish bait must be obtained from Wisconsin certified bait dealers (VHS-free fish bait). For more information about bait requirements see the DNR Regulations for Anglers and Boaters.

Swimmer's Itch.

Swimmer's itch occurs in some Wisconsin Lakes each year. In the past it has been present in Kangaroo Lake. Swimmer's itch is caused by the larvae of certain flatworms that can be picked up while swimming. Technically known as schistosome dermatitis, swimmer's itch appears as red itching, bite-like welts within several hours of leaving the water. It is neither dangerous nor contagious, but is very uncomfortable. The degree of discomfort and bodily reaction varies with the person's sensitivity and the degree of infestation. Some people have noted that waterproof sunscreens and lotions reduce the infections.

If you decide to go in the water when and where swimmer's itch larvae are present, stay clear of plants growing in the lake. Swimming rather than playing or wading in shallow water will reduce exposure. Swim offshore if possible.

If swimmer's itch is known to be present, avoid swimming when winds are likely to be carrying the organisms into the beach. The most important thing to do to prevent the itch is to rub down very briskly right after leaving the water. This can crush the organisms before they can penetrate the skin. Showering shortly after leaving the water also should help.

Swimmer's itch organisms are most commonly noticed in early summer, when the water is its warmest. The season is relatively short – usually four to six weeks, depending on the weather. For more detailed information on Swimmer’s Itch, visit the WI DNR's page.

Have you or your children developed a red pimple-like itchy rash soon after swimming in our lake? If you have, please take a moment to let us know it’s around again. We would like to monitor the prevalence of the Itch, in order to determine if we need to pursue any further action. Please help us out by using the linked form to let us know when and where it is occurring this year. Thank you!

We continue to publish up-to-date information in our membership newsletter - usually the Spring editions. For past newsletters, please see our member's Archive. This page will also be updated when we have new information. Stay tuned!

Carp.

(Carp section to be added.)

Wisconsin Lakes Conference Videos and Other Information