Like many lakes in northern Indiana, Pretty Lake has experienced an expanding lake weed problem over the past few years.  The prime nuisance weed in and on our lake is Eurasian Watermilfoil; an invasive, non-native weed that is rapidly taking control of our lake.  Milfoil has no natural predators.  If left unchecked, it will crowd out the more desirable native plant species.

Successful control of Milfoil requires several consecutive years of herbicide application.  Consequently, the Pretty Lake Conservation Club has launched an aggressive, multi-year Weed Control Program in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to combat the threat.  The program will commence with an early-season (probably April) application of a contact herbicide called Diquat.  It is likely that some small amount of Milfoil will re-emerge after this application, so we have planned a contingent application of a systemic herbicide called Navigate (2,4-D) in July, if necessary.

The DNR, through its Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program, has awarded us a $16,150 grant to cover 80% of this first-year treatment.  Pretty Lake residents will pay the remaining 20% ($4,038) of the $20,188 total cost of the 2013 program.

LARE grants are generally good for three consecutive years.  We hope to receive about the same LARE funding in each of years two and three.  We will then re-evaluate to determine necessary future steps.

Our treatment plan is based upon a survey that was conducted in September of 2012.  The results of that survey, which identified several Milfoil beds totaling 25.31 acres, are shown on the following map.

These photos were taken by Gary Ludban this past fall (2012) at Pretty Lake.   Simply gorgeous…   Thank you for sharing Gary!!

Thanks to Gary Ludban for these beautiful photos of Pretty Lake this past fall season (2012)…

So I was going through some photos the other day and I came across a couple shots of  the most beautiful sunset from our perch on the hill at Pretty Lake. Still, to this day, both Dave & I agree that it’s one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen. These photos were taken on Friday September 13^th 2002, the evening we closed on the purchase of our cottage. We left the mortgage company, drove straight to Pretty Lake, and we were greeting by this spectacular welcome!  We knew it was a good sign that we had made the right decision to purchase the property, and we were right!!!  

As a result of finding these photos, I was inspired to post a series of sunsets we’ve captured and enjoyed over the ten years we’ve been on Pretty Lake. I know you all have photos like this, and you should dig them out and look at them sometime, but in the mean time go to the photo gallery and enjoy my “Beautiful Pretty Lake Sunsets” post. They don’t call it Pretty Lake for nothing!   Leesa Kern

The 2012 Halloween party was a great time!

There were five reverse raffle winners at the Halloween party.  Each won $50.00.  Their names are: Jo Bergstedt (231), Terry Martin (83), Vickie Stanski (207), Ada Shopa (OT-H), and Delinda Swihart who does not live on Pretty Lake.

Thanks to all who bought tickets.  The conservation club netted $310.00 to be applied to the dredging and weed fund. Go us!!!