WEYAUWEGA, WI – Local advocates are pushing for long-term solutions, including the possible creation of a lake district at Weyauwega Lake.
Vice President of Weyauwega Lake Restoration Jim Tolfa says the lake’s issues date back to a 1972 drawdown aimed at reducing carp populations. However, that action had unintended consequences. “Once they eliminated the carp because the water levels were low, the weeds started growing and it just kept getting worse every year.” Tolfa said.
Tolfa says a second drawdown years later only intensified the problem, as exposed lakebeds allowed weed seeds to germinate and spread even more aggressively. Today, he says the lake is overrun with vegetation, limiting recreational use. “You can fish it in the summertime, but if you’re lucky, otherwise you’re throwing a bobber on top of weeds,” he said.
Photo Courtesy of Jim Tolfa
Despite the challenges, Tolfa says the lake still has a strong fish population, thanks in part to stocking efforts that included crappies, perch, bass, and northern pike. However, he notes that heavy weed growth makes it difficult for anglers to take full advantage of those improvements.
Tolfa has spent years working to raise awareness and organize support, but says community engagement has been limited. “We need young people, and we’ve got to get them interested, we don’t have a very good following,” he said, adding that many of the current volunteers are older and the effort needs new energy to move forward.
Now, Tolfa believes forming a lake district may be the most effective path forward. He says it would allow property owners to generate funding, apply for grants, and take more control over restoration efforts. “If we would have got the lake district years ago, taxes would have gone up just a few dollars. Now we’re looking at about $10 on a $200,000 home,” he said.
An upcoming meeting on April 9th at 6 p.m. at Weyauwega City Hall is expected to be a key step in discussing the lake district proposal. Tolfa says organizers are hopeful the meeting will build momentum and bring more community members into the conversation about restoring the lake for future generations.
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