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.
Setting the Stone Rip-Rap Shoreline
Darrell Schwalm writes: Placing field stone rock on top of the pervious ground cloth and gravel is not an easy job. The homeowner has chosen to use… Read more “Setting the Stone Rip-Rap Shoreline”
Landscaped Greenbelt Under Construction
Darrell Schwalm writes: MAPS is partnering with a Scotts’s Bay homeowner to construct a landscaped greenbelt. The purpose is to provide a bioengineered rock revetment to protect… Read more “Landscaped Greenbelt Under Construction”
Do you have Purple Loosestrife on your property?
Purple Loosestrife, an invasive, non-native plant from Europe and Asia eliminates native plants such as cattails, sedges, bullrush, and ferns. As our wetlands become infested, desirable food… Read more “Do you have Purple Loosestrife on your property?”
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.
It’s Health
Shoreline Health
Issues & Solutions:
- Erosion
- Alterations
- Greenbelts
- Nutrients
- Findings
- Trends
- Recommendations
Invasives
Control Practices for Invasive Plants and Animals
MAPS Boat Washes to stem spread of Invasive Species:
- Follow this website to know when and where
- Michigan’s Clean Boats Clean Waters Initiative
Ecosystem Health
The Ecosystem of Mullett Lake ecompasses the entire Watershed area including:
- Water Quality of the Lake, Rivers and Streams
- Fishery Management
Mullett Lake appears to have become more oligotrophic: clearer, fewer nutrients, but maintaining high dissolved oxygen levels.
Shoreland Challenges
The Shoreland and Watershed are divided into 4 areas: Upland, Buffer, Shoreline and Lake. Read each one to see all of the challenges we face to keep Mullett Lake and its surrounding Watershed healthy.
Upland Practices
Good Upland Stewardship Practices include:
- Impervious Surfaces
- Septic Systems
- Controlled Runoff
- Natural Growth
Buffer Zone
Ways to Protect the Shoreline from Upland contaminants:
- Natural Growth Greenbelts
- Rain Gardens
Shoreline & Water’s Edge
From surfaces, to landscaping and equipment, everything we do impacts the water quality at the shoreline.
Be a Shoreland Steward
The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program provides recognition for lakefront property owners who are protecting inland lakes through best management practices on their property.
Become a MI Shoreland Steward – for the Good of the Lake!
Michigan’s Shoreland Stewards
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
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!
