Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park
Draft Master Plan Public Information Meeting
Fish Lake Natural Resource
Area/Lussier County Park
Public Information Meeting Notice
• Sent Notice to All Landowners within and adjacent to Project
Area Boundary August 13th
• Posted to Dane County & Dane County Parks Web Aug.20th
• Countywide Press Release August 20th
• Sent Press Release to West Point/Roxbury Town Clerk Aug.
20th
• Sent Press Release to Lake District Board August 20th
• Legal Notice Madison Newspapers August 22nd
• Sauk Prairie Eagle Press Release August 20th
• Emailed Meeting Notice to Dec. 4th, 2012 Meeting Participants
• Roxbury Tavern Website and Gazette August 20th
Meeting Overview
• Introductions
• Brief History and Background of Project
Area
• Existing Conditions and Uses
• Purpose of Meeting & Master Plan
• Project Area Description
• Planning Considerations/ Site Inventory
& Analysis
• Draft Master Plan Alternatives Overview
• Project Timeline and Next Steps
• Public Comment
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park Background
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Fish Lake is one of the deepest and largest natural
lakes in the state, 62’ depth.
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On the edge of the glacial driftless area, natural lakes
are scarce in this region, only 2.5% of Wisconsin’s
over 15,000 lakes are in this region.
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Fish Lake is a seepage lake formed by a melted
glacial ice block in the Johnstown terminal moraine, at
one time considered for inclusion within IAT National
Scenic Corridor.
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Lake supports cold water Cisco(?), Blandings Turtle,
Ospreys and Bald Eagles.
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1951 Wisconsin Conservation Department
recommended purchase of lands on west shoreline for
northern pike spawning habitat area improvement
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park Background
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Extremely popular fishing and camping
destination, past and present.
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Town Board passed an ordinance in 1972
prohibiting gas motors on Fish Lake for desired
“peace and quiet”
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1979 considered best water quality natural lake in
Dane County.
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park Background
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1989-2001 Tremendous amount of research, fund
raising and planning related to water quality,
water levels, restoration, proposed land
acquisitions and fisheries of Crystal, Fish and
Mud Lakes.
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Stakeholders included: Natural Heritage
Foundation, Town of Roxbury, WDNR, USGS,
Prairie Enthusiasts, Wisconsin Waterfowl
Association, Ducks Unlimited, Dane County
Conservation League, Madison Fishing Expo,
Yahara Fishing Club, UW Madison, Dorf Haus
Supper Club, Roxbury Tavern, Wisconsin State
Journal, Jack Lussier, UW Extension, Dane
County
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park Background
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Since 1990’s and expansion of USH 12, Town
interest in preserving rural character and
agriculture in Fish Lake area.
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State interest in 1990 to purchase existing
campground lands on Fish Lake when it was for
sale, but was not funded.
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Significant donation from Jack Lussier in 2000 for
purchase of 140 acres of property on northeast
shore of Fish Lake.
Existing Conditions and Uses
• Diminished water quality from 1970’s status
• Fluctuating water levels
• Some efforts to create shoreline buffer areas
to improve water quality, nesting habitat
• Still Popular Fishing Destinations (Winter and
Summer)
• Little to No Emergent Shoreline Vegetation
• Increasing Carp Populations/Turbidity
• Limited Camping on Fish Lake
• Limited Archery Hunting on County Lands
• Limited Boat Access, Shore Fishing at Crystal
and Fish Lake
• Limited Use/Recreation Facilities at Fish
Lake, Lussier County Parks
Purpose of the Meeting
• Provide update on public input gathered and
results of the site inventory and analysis
conducted since the December 2012 Kick Off
Meeting.
• Present Draft Master Plans for public review.
• Listen to neighbor, park user, and other
stakeholder hopes, concerns, issues and
ideas related to recommendations of the draft
master plans.
Why Do a Master Plan?
• Process to determine suitability of land for future
development of park and recreation facilities.
(slopes, soils, archaeological sites, access,etc.)
• Determine what types of recreation and park
program areas will occur on new properties
• Provides a forum that allows public/stakeholders
to give input throughout the planning process
• Aids in preparation of preliminary cost estimates
and budgeting for capital improvements
• Enables and strengthens participation in certain
grant programs
• Recommendation of County Parks and Open
Space Plan for Ten Years
• Provides a common vision for phased park facility
implementation and park land management.
Examples of Items That May Be
Included within the Park Master Plan
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A Graphic Plan and Written Report
Existing Resource Inventory/Analysis
Potential Trail Layouts
Future Park Facility Development Projects (Ex:
Picnic shelters, parking lots, restroom locations etc.)
• Resource and Park Management
Recommendations (Ex: proposed hunting
types/areas, possible habitat improvement areas,
possible partnership opportunities for management
of lands/facilities)
• Future Boundary Adjustment Areas
• Implementation/Action Plan
Examples of Items That Will Not Be
Covered within the Park Master Plan
• Fishery/Water Quality Recommendations
(DNR, County Land Conservation,UW)
• Changes to Boat Motor Ordinance (Town)
• Lake Level Management (Lake District)
• Zoning or Land Use Recommendations
• Agriculture BMP Recommendations
(County Land Conservation)
Project Area Boundary
Project planning area is a combination of:
•Lussier County Park~20acres
•Fish Lake County Park~2.9acres
•Fish Lake Natural Resource Area~700acres
•Fish Lake~200acres
•Crystal Lake~525acres
•Mud Lake~
Fish Lake Natural Resource Area
Lussier County Park
Master Plan
Planning Considerations
Site Inventory & Analysis
2012-17 Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan
Pg. 44 Recreation Needs Summary
“High demand and participation rates are consistently shown for camping, biking,
fishing, and most trail activities in national, state, county and local recreation
surveys. High participation rates in water-related activities continue to warrant
the priority to provide a variety of public access opportunities on Dane County
waters.
Strong public support was heard throughout the planning process to expand trail
facilities, particularly single track mountain biking in western Dane County.
A synthesis of all planning considerations provides an accurate portrayal of the
primary recreation expectations and needs on the Dane County Park system.
They are as follows:”
• Trails (Particularly Mountain Biking, Snowshoeing, Multi-Use Regional)
• Wildlife Viewing Opportunities
• Water Access Facilities (fishing, kayaking)
• Camping
• Picnicking and Shelters
• Disc Golf
• Dog Exercise Areas
• Hunting & Target Archery
Preliminary Water Quality and
Near Shore Fish Survey
Information
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Phosphorous levels high in all lakes.
Blue green algae present at Fish Lake.
Ciscoes absent?
Panfish, bass, bullheads near shore.
Carp management strategy still
unknown.
• First of 2 year study.
Dec. ‘12 Kick Off Meeting Park
Recommendations and Ideas
• Beach?
• Picnic Area?
• Improved Lake Access
Crystal/Fish?
• Improved Shorefishing?
• Wildlife Observation?
• Snowshoeing?
• Mountain Biking?
• Hiking?
• Camping Fish Lake?
• Future Dog Exercise
Area?
• Cross Country Skiing?
• Move Fish Lake Park
Facilities to Lussier
Park, canoe/kayak/ice
access Fish Lake only?
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Dec. 2012 PIM Opportunities
Improved shoreline buffer zone restoration
Create Waterfowl Nesting Areas
Glacial Education and Interpretation
Fish Lake Education and Interpretation
Native American Education and Interpretation
Improve Mussen Lake Road Alignment
Maintain Rural and Agricultural Landscapes
Improve Wayfinding to Fish Lake Area
Scenic Landscapes
Little to No Highway/Urban Noise/Artificial Light
Rural Location
Fish Lake Wildlife Area Western Mud Lake
Dec. 2012 PIM Constraints
• Park Development Grant Restrictions on Some
Properties
• Water Level Uncertainty (Restoration/Locating Future
Facilities/Shoreline Access)
• Access and Wayfinding To Fish Lake NRA
• Archaeological Sites
• Invasive Species
• Limited Park Operation/Maintenance Resources
• Limited Park Development Dollars
Draft Plan Public Input Themes
• Keep Fish Lake County Park as carry in
water access/picnic/play area.
• Strong support for new lake access at
Fish, Mud and Crystal lakes.
• Maintain ag/natural rural landscapes.
• Support picnic/shelter area at Lussier.
• Carp are becoming large threat to all 3
lakes.
• Provide for waterfowl hunting on Mud
Lake.
Draft Plan Public Input Themes
• Provide and maintain fencing/buffers
between private land and recently
acquired lots on west side of Fish Lake.
• Support shore fishing access on recently
acquired lots on west side of Fish Lake.
• Strong support to relocate Mussen Road.
• Average support for beach.
• Support waterfowl hunting on Mud Lake,
hesitant on Wildlife Area designation.
• Support future camping.
Draft Plan Public Input Themes
• Add bicycle service areas to Fish Lake
County Park
• Expand hunting opportunities west of
Mud Lake to shotgun only, no gun deer
hunting.
Additional Planning
Considerations
• Lake depth surveys through ice
February 2013 Lussier Park.
• Archaeological field review with
neighbor at Lussier Park.
• Multiple property tours to inventory
existing property conditions.
• Meetings with neighboring property
owners.
• Acquisition grant restrictions.
Lake Access Planning
Considerations
• Protected from NW/SW Prevailing Winds
• Sufficient Depth Near Shore.
• WDNR Code NR 1.91 Public Boating Access
Standards
-Fish Lake Max. 12 Trailer Stalls
-Crystal Lake Max. 35 Stalls
Draft Master Plan Concepts
• Draft Plan for Fish Lake Natural
Resource Area (Approx. 700 acres)
• Draft Plan for Lussier County Park
Development Area (Approx. 20 acres)
Next Steps
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Public Comment on Draft Plans through Oct. 1st
Revisions as necessary.
Prepare master plan report for public review.
Park Commission/County Board Master Plan
Adoption early spring 2014?
Contact Information
Chris James, Park Planner
Dane County Parks Division
5201 Fen Oak Drive
Madison, WI 53708
608.224.3763
[email protected]
Fish Lake Master Plan Website/Feedback Form
http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/planning.aspx#master_plans
Public Input Session
Please…
– Respect your allotted time limit
– Do not interrupt or interject comments on
others comments
– Do not laugh at somebody else’s idea
– Refrain from talking while others are speaking
• We’ll be here as long as we can afterward to
answer additional questions.