Thank you to all of our 2021 Sponsors! We have posted all the individual business cards under the new 2021 Sponsor tab for your viewing. Let’s show our appreciation by utilizing their services!
Paid 2020 Association Members will get one vote, per household, at the General Meeting, August 29th. This year ends the terms for Erik Pearson (Royer), Pam Deetz, David Schnieders (Fish) and Jeff Slabaugh (Fish). Pam will not be running again. Continuing Term Board Members are Mark Albert (channel), David McIntosh (Royer), Jay Benak (Royer) , Ron Lucas (Fish) and Tom McCue (Royer). We can have up to 9 Board Members, with at least 4 from Fish Lake and 4 from Royer Lake. Interested New Nominees will include Bob Considine (Fish), John Veenstra (Fish) and Jolyn Strahm (Fish). Paid members will have their chance to vote for 1 Royer Lake and 3 Fish Lake Members, from nominees, at the general meeting August 29th.
UPDATE: Since we did not receive any submissions for 2020, the Scholarship Fund will be rolled over into the 2021 Scholarship Fund to either create one large scholarship or to be split by two entrees. Be sure to check back in 2021 for more updates!
Reminder: Entries need to be submitted by July 15th!
Congratulations to Team Brad Pearson, Winner of the 2020 – 4th of July Family Fishing Tournament! Even though it was by catching a 24+ inch dogfish (lol). Thanks to Brad’s $50 winner donation from the Memorial Day tournament, along with all the entries and a $20 fish stocking donation from Daniel Moeloa, the Pot was as follows:
Team Pearson – Winner: $ 160.00 Fish Stocking Fund: $ 130.00
Thanks to all the Lake Families / Association Members that joined: Benak, Considine, Gawle Sr., Hannon, Lengacher/Babb (Moeloa), McKee, Miller, Murphy, Pearson, Stokley, and Swopes.
The Osprey population had declined rapidly between the 1950s-1970s due to DDT, loss of breeding grounds and poaching. This decline resulted in placing the Osprey onto the Indiana endangered list. Between 2003-2006, Indiana acquired 96 young Ospreys from nests in Virginia and released them at four Indiana locations. Releasing them, along with adding of nesting platforms, has resulted in Indiana’s osprey population showing steady growth. As of 2018, the Osprey was moved from endangered to the special interest list.
Many found it a little exciting that we had a couple around our lakes last year. So, Tom McCue, being a lifelong wildlife enthusiast had the thought of bringing nest platforms in the hopes to encourage their returning each year to our lakes. So, as indicated in the March newsletter, Osprey platforms were set up at three locations on our lakes, with thanks to REMC for supplying and placing the poles. (REMC also published an article in their mailing that is posted below for everyone’s viewing.) The April-May Nesting season is over for 2020, so hopefully the Osprey chicks born nearby will seek out our platforms over the next couple months, and return to build their own nests here next year.
The idea of bringing and keeping different types of wildlife coming to our lakes has peaked interest in adding other wildlife structures as well. Therefore, David has suggested building and placing Wood Duck boxes around the lakes. The Board has approved $200 to spend on materials. We are looking for volunteers to craft the boxes as well as places to install them. Please let Tom McCue or David Schnieders know if you are interested in participating.
Erik Pearson and David Schnieders have stayed in contact with Matt Horsley from DNR. Our lakes are still planning on the coordination of a Fish Attractor Project, but due to the pandemic guidelines, this progress has been delayed. A marine biologist will be looking over this to help determine what and where structures should be placed. Potential locations have not yet been decided, however, the structures will most likely be in 10-14 feet of water. We are hoping to begin structure placement in October. DNR is also still planning on continuing to monitor the plant community in 2020, and will attempt to visit our lakes in late summer to conduct a survey of the submergent plants and to possibly map out the emergent plant community. The Fish Attractor Project will be a topic of discussion at our General Meeting in August.
Correction from March Newsletter: Permits for weed killing will be severely limited due to our current lack of weeds. The purpose of taking care of weeds on our lakes is to allow people to get boats in and out, not to establish beaches for swimming and recreation.
Matt Horsely with the DNR has also forwarded the 2019 Fish and Royer Lakes Status and Trends reports, which have been added below for everyone’s viewing! Be sure to take a look!
Saturday, May 23rd, 8:00am-8:00pm
Fishing Tournaments are currently open to Fish Royer Lakes Association Members and their families. If you are unsure if your 2020 dues are paid, please check our most current list, under the 2020 Member tab.