The Eagle River Chain of Lakes Association (ERCLA) is conducting an anonymous stakeholder survey regarding its Aquatic Plant Management Plan through the summer of 2026.

The survey is open to residents, property owners, visitors and anyone who uses or enjoys the Chain of Lakes. It is primarily facilitated by ERCLA to help guide comprehensive lake management planning and future funding from the Wisconsin DNR.

Stakeholder participation is an important part of the ongoing management of the Chain’s ecosystem. The community provides feedback which will help ERCLA accomplish things like educational outreach to introduce residents to lake ecology and the management planning process; user preferences to gather data on how stakeholders utilize the Chain (e.g., fishing, boating, swimming).; and Chain management, to help ERCLA and the DNR shape goals for controlling shoreline and aquatic invasive species and tracking lake changes.

“We are asking for the public’s input. Just 10 minutes today can help protect our lakes for future generations,” said a spokesperson for ERCLA. “Your voice matters in protecting our Chain of Lakes, its watershed and its ecosystems.”

Stakeholders can visit ercla.org to take part.

Annual meeting

ERCLA members also are invited to learn about important lake-related topics during the upcoming annual membership meeting.

This year’s Silver Jubilee Celebration and 25th anniversary of ERCLA will be held Saturday, July 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kalmar Community Center, located at 1013 N. Railroad St. in Eagle River.

The agenda includes the election of directors, a review of ERCLA activities, year-end financial report and keynote speakers. Attendees will also enjoy refreshments while browsing the 2002 historical displays.

Sharing their knowledge with guests will be a Vilas County conservationist who will address the Chain’s lake ecology, a Wisconsin DNR fisheries biologist who will explain the fisheries population assessment and creel survey for the Eagle River Chain, and a Vilas County Sheriff’s deputy who will speak on boating safety.

There also will be an open forum for questions and comments from ERCLA members.
Those planning to attend should RSVP names and number of attendees via email at erclaonline@gmail.com, or text or leave a voicemail with Secretary Teri Stecker at 920-428-6743.

The Eagle River Chain of Lakes Association, Inc. is a charitable, tax-exempt nonprofit, voluntary lake organization with the purpose of maintaining, protecting and improving the quality of the lakes and connecting waterways from the Burnt Rollways Dam to the Otter Rapids Dam on the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.

ERCLA provides educational resources regarding issues important to the Eagle River Chain of Lakes and the rivers that are a part of the Chain, and advocates on behalf of more than 1,700 Chain property owners. Funding of ERCLA’s operation, activities, events and projects comes exclusively from membership dues and donations. All activities and actions of ERCLA are volunteer-driven.

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more may visit ercla.org or find the group at facebook.com/eagleriverchain.