MAPS Events
Our Board Meetings are the 3rd Thursdays each month. We will post our Agendas and Minutes here via our Blog. Follow our website by clicking-through the Follow Button at bottom of page and you will receive emailed updates of our news, minutes and events.
Whether Pro or Con Line 5 – Things We Should Know
Stone Shoreline Bank Completed
Darrell Schwalm writes: Our newest shoreline bank greenbelt project continues to make progress. The field stone rock construction on top of the pervious ground cloth and gravel… Read more “Stone Shoreline Bank Completed”
Sturgeon Release in Sturgeon River
Darrell Schwalm writes: Sunday, August 24 was a busy day for the sturgeon restoration efforts within the Mullett Lake watershed. One event attended by MAPS representatives was… Read more “Sturgeon Release in Sturgeon River”
Get Involved
Volunteer
Please write to us about the ways you would like to get involved. We have several areas for you to consider (see below), but don’t hesitate to suggest your own idea/s.
Volunteers help us with:
- Boat Washes to raise the awareness of Invasive Species and how to keep from spreading them.
- Routine Water Quality Monitoring to check levels and to stay within sound parameters.
- Surveys for Invasive Species spread through regular surveying of the area.
- Revetment work on inlets and outlets.
- Fund Raisers to pay for scientific surveys to keep us on top of our Lake’s Health issues.
- Information Distribution to raise awareness using a variety of methods.
Contribute
We graciously accept all contributions:
- Time in helping us with various initiatives to combat invasive species, etc.
- Information adding to our overall effectiveness
- Monetary or other resources such as equipment/tools or property access.
- Inform others (we can help you with necessary information or share our website with them)
Offer Resources
If you can provide a key resource to help us further our efforts, we would love to hear from you. Some of the items that are useful include:
- Boats and Docks for Surveys and Fishing
- Lake Access for Aquatic Surveys and Water Monitoring
- Equipment to assist with Greenbelt Preparation (shovels, small dozers, etc.)
- Personal Gear for Volunteers
- Anything you think might assist us!
Fisheries Research
MAPS, Sturgeon for Tomorrow, and MSU planting Sturgeon in Mullett Lake 8/25/18
Status Report of the Fisheries Resource in Mullett Lake. MDNR: 2017 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (68 pages with graphs, tables and maps)
Mullett Lake Watershed Protection Plan.TOMWC: 2002 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (89 pages with graphs, tables and maps)
Creel Survey Report for Mullett Lake. MDNR:2010 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (2 pages of tables)
Walleye Dynamics in Michigan’s Inland Waterway. MDNR: 2014 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (9 pages with graphs, tables and illustrations)
Michigan’s Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Strategy. MDNR: 2012 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (26 pages with graphs, tables and text)
Cheboygan River Assessment. MDNR: 2015 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (588 pages with graphs, tables and illustrations)
Mullett Creek Watershed Management Plan.
Sturgeon Distribution and Status in Michigan. MDNR: 2006 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (20 pages with graphs, tables and maps)
Management Plan for Lake Sturgeon in Black Lake. MDNR: 2016 Download PDF to Read or Print HERE (34 pages with graphs, tables, pictures and maps)
Mullett Lake’s Fish Species
Elements of a Healthy Fishery
Sturgeon Lit. ReviewVolunteer Lake Monitoring
Mullett Lake Partial Aquatic Plant Survey 2015
Our Lake
“Many words come to mind to describe Mullett Lake: immense, fantastic, deep, enchanting, beautiful, vibrant, and diverse.”
–Excerpt from Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 2009 Report
Key Features:
4th largest of 5 ‘Giant’ Lakes in Northern Michigan- 17,000+ acres of surface area
- Depth of 144 feet
- 1000+ homes on its shoreline
- Approximately 39 species of fish (according to 2017 Survey)
- This lake is a massive ecosystem that requires balancing nature with human enjoyment
That is where the Mullett Lake Area Preservation Society (MAPS) plays a role along with a number of other agencies who assist us in translating the science of water quality and shoreline integrity into sensible application by property owners.
An ecosystem of this size is NOT an island. It requires monitoring of the interaction between tributaries and rivers that Mullett Lake flows into: Cheboygan River, Pigeon River, to name a few.
Our Challenges
Invasive Species
- Are species of plants or animals that are non-native to the area
- Their introduction is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health
Shoreline Alterations
Shoreline Erosion
Online Soil Erosion Assessment Tool
Stormwater Runoff
Boating Safety
Our Initiatives
MAPS Implements Best Practices and Brings the Science to Our Lake
Clean Boats Clean Waters
MAPS works with other organizations in the Mullett Lake Watershed to provide Boat Washes and education
MI Natural Shoreline Partnership
MI Shoreline Stewards
The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program provides recognition for lakefront property owners who are protecting inland lakes through best management practices on their property.
Water Quality Monitoring
3 forms of measurement:
- PH Balance – State Law mandates between 6.5-9.
- Dissolved Oxygen – State Law mandates 5-7 parts per million
- Conductivity – indicator of water pollution
From the Mullett Lake Shoreline Survey of 2008 conducted by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council:
“Data collected during the shoreline survey indicate that human activity along the shoreline of Mullett Lake is negatively impacting the lake ecosystem and water quality.”
Fishery Management
