Rice Lake Management Plan Summary   Improvements necessary for lake water quality to be healthy and a sufficient habitat to support fishing, and other recreational water activities

Accomplishment of RLAA Action Plan will significantly improve the water quality and address the intensity and frequency of algae bloom

Activities

Outcomes

Resources

Phase I

2010

Begin  efforts to reduce the carp population to acceptable levels for establishment of necessary vegetation

Expected outcome of Phase I

1a.

-      Set up Carp Enclosure test areas

-         Demonstrate that the absence of carp allow native plants to reestablish

RLAA build two (2) test plots in Spring 2010

1b.

-      Conduct Rough Fish removal (Carp) by Spring 2010 (including possible Winter 2009-2010 removal)

-         75% reduction in existing carp population -- 1st year

Commercial Fishermen and RLAA volunteers

1c.

-      Zooplankton monitoring to determine capability for improving water clarity and young fish survival

-         Begin benchmark for plankton levels during and after rough fish removal

RLAA with FSS

1d.

-      Once carp population reduction is showing signs success, undertake bullhead campaign

-         At least a 30% reduction in bullhead population -- 1st year

1e.

-      Repeat carp and bullhead annual remediation activities as necessary to sustain acceptable level for vegetation planting and growth

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Conduct Fish Survey in late summer of 2010

1f.

-      Review the fall '09 Charra planting test for survivability

-         Charra will be able to thrive and grow

RLAA volunteers

1g.

-      Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey to measure the impact on plants after rough fish removal

-         Establish a benchmark to measure against

Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in late summer of 2010

Phase II 2011

Undertake efforts to establish the necessary critical lake bottom vegetation for a sustainable game fish habitat

Expected outcome of Phase II

2a.

-      Gain DNR approval to move/transplant some native plants from W. Bay to Eastern shore of Main Basin

-         Transplanting from West to Main successful

RLAA with FSS

2b.

-      Undertake efforts to plant Charra in Tristan Bay to confirm test planting outcome

Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2011

2c.

-      Review water quality by monitoring Zooplankton and Dissolved Oxygen levels to determine the success of efforts to engage in a fish stocking project

-         Achieve acceptable levels for some fish habitat

RLAA with City and FSS

2d.

-      As water quality levels are acceptable begin effort to stock game fish

-         Stocking choices thrive in sufficient numbers

RLAA with DNR

2e.

-      Repeat of rough fish reduction activities focusing on species that need attention

-         Repeat of Phase I rough fish reduction activity

Conduct Fish Survey in 2011 to verify rough fish control

Phase III 2012

Assess water quality level achieved and evaluate the sustainable balance of actions taken to benefit achieved

Expected outcome of Phase III

3a.

-      Repeat continuing efforts to establish vegetation in critical areas to address water quality issues

-         Potentially be able to expand on stocking choices

Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2011

3b.

-      Repeat of rough fish reduction activities focusing on species that need attention

-         Repeat of Phase I rough fish reduction activity

Commercial Fishermen and RLAA volunteers

Activities

Outcomes

Resources

Phase IV1      » 2013  J - J

Review water quality level achieved and the sustainable balance of a healthy game fish habitat

Expected outcome of Phase IV1

4a.

-      Look at TMDL data for Rice Lake and assess needed adjustment in

-         See visible benefits from efforts thus far

RLAA with City and ECWMC

4b.

-      Review existing needs and assess the adjustment needed

-         May need tweaking to achieve desired improvement

RLAA with City and ECWMC

4c.

-      Evaluate the benefit of using a chemical treatment to address some problem areas

-         Look for best case scenario before undertaking risk

RLAA with City

4d.

-      Evaluate the need to tweak Phase I & II efforts to achieve water quality improvement to benefit Phase III outcome

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4e.

-      Analyze the results taking into account the impact of outside climatic factors (rain, temperature, etc.)

-         Look for more than a strong correlation in data analysis

Phase IV2     » 2013 J - D

Update Action Plans for the next 5 years based to the past 3 years of activity and the results realized

Expected outcome of Phase IV2

4a.

-      Establish carp and bullhead remediation schedule needs for next 5 years based on past outcomes

-         Overall outcomes were in the positive direction

Conduct Fish Survey in 2013 to verify rough fish control

4b.

-      Establish vegetation plant needs and species selection for next 5 years based on past outcomes

-         Overall outcomes were in the positive direction

Conduct Aquatic Plant Survey in 2013

Phase V

» 2014

Formally prepare the updates for next 5 Year Plan

Expected outcome of Phase V

Last Updated 2/15/2010