Aquatic Wildlife

In the fall of 2023, the CGWLAA, created a new Committee called Aquatic Wildlife Advocacy. As part of the MN DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, the Lake Association implemented the Loon Friendly Management Plan. The objective is to help us understand what our state bird needs to maintain a strong, healthy presence for future generations to enjoy. This plan includes loon survey studies with the help of volunteer loon watchers/citizen scientist on the Woman Lake Chain.  As we focus most of our time on the Common Loon, we are also mindful of other wildlife that live and thrive on our lakes.

  • Our Mission:

    ·      The Loon Liaison and volunteer loon watchers (citizen scientist) will monitor Loon population on the Woman Lake Chain throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Observations include loon numbers, nesting areas and success, activities, and any problems (predation or human disturbance) Report loon seasons data logs with the DNR and educate public on issues and concerns.

    ·      Protect and enhance critical loon habitat through the shoreline restoration project and working with the Lake Steward committee.

    ·      EDUCATION: Increase public knowledge and awareness of loons through CGWLAA newsletters, annual meetings, Pinecone Press Local paper, social media and other news outlets.

    ·      Facilitate cooperation between government agencies, lakeshore property owners, and the public on behalf of the loons.   Work with the GET THE LEAD OUT (GTLO) representative to increase the use of Lead-Free fishing tackle and educate the public on the importance of switching to Lead-Free.

    ·      Education and public outreach are not enough to save the loons and other wildlife from lead poisoning. Work with other agencies to pass a bill to ban lead fishing tackle in MN.

    ·      Identify management needs and obtain funds for projects.

    Build and maintain loon-nesting platforms as needed for the loon chick success.  

  • Loons on the Woman Lake chain have been part of the DNR Loon Monitoring program since the early 1980’s but in recent years the surveying of the loons has become for detailed. From when the first loon shows up on our lakes in the Spring to when the last loon migrates south, we observe and record all the loons, both nesting pairs and floaters. We look at where they are nesting, how many chicks hatch and how many survive. We keep a close eye on their territories and see what we can do better to help the adult loons and their young chicks.

    We are looking at threats to the loon from recreational to general development of the lakes. Cabin owners should consider how their activities impact loons during boating, fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, and shoreline landscaping.

    1. Child, Girl, Woman Lake Loon counts (spreadsheet for 2023,2024 and 2025)

  • Because you are a loon lover like me, I want to draw your attention to one especially critical blog post (A Familiar Pattern, 9/13/2025) in which Dr. Walter Piper’s research data is showing an increased decline in loon population, and not just in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Over the last few decades, researchers across North America have noted similar losses in loon numbers from the West Coast of Washington to the East Coast of Maine and northwards through Alaska and Canada. From the research data collected by the Loon Project, survival rate of young loons has plummeted from 45% in the 1990’s to just 10% today.  Loons are not like other waterfowls that live on our lakes.  Loons have only 1 or 2 chicks per season. Lossing just one is a big loss to our loon population. 

    LEARN MORE:

    “Loons Across America and Canada are calling for help” by Jenny Chapman

    “A Cry from the Mist” – (YouTube video)  https://youtube/PBmOctjt6ZY?si=5rFUQOYsi5LH7Wxh

    Loon Project - https://loonproject.org/2025/09/12/a-familiar-pattern/

  • Switch to LEAD-FREE – Learn More

    *This is what happens when you are not practicing loon-safe fishing

    Get the Lead out MN DNR https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects/leadout.html

    Get the Lead out MN PCA                                                              https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air-water-land-climate/getting-lead-out-of-fishing-tackle

    https://www.biographic.com/why-are-loons-still-dying-from-lead-poisoning/

     

    Loon Safe Boating and Fishing

    *Loon Safe Boating and Fishing card

    *Flyer for loon safe boating and jet skiing (it has the picture of loons with ½ a wing)

    *Be Loon Aware (brochure on website already)

     

     

    Support Legislation for a ban on Lead tackle in MN (about the bill 2025/2026 or 2026-2027 session)    Don’t have this completed yet.

     

     

    *these are on google docs

  • Invest time in gaining a deeper understanding of the Common Loon, our distinguished state bird. 

    Understand the meaning of the loon calls https://loon.org/the-call-of-the-loon/

    Loon chicks’ development  https://loon.org/about-the-common-loon/loon-chick-development/