Up & Running:
We're back. Please make visiting BayLake.org a part of your weekly routine. |
The Winter That Wouldn't Quit:
On my. Click here to see interesting maps and charts and click here to see pictures. |
WOW! Late Ice Out Drives Record Traffic on BayLake.org:
Click here to see the charts. |
Ice Out Winner:
Congratulations Nancy Bunger! Her guess of May 2nd took strong conviction because it would have been a near record (even though it ended up being 9 days too early). Click here to learn more. |
Cheap & Effective Deer Repellant (Revised):
Click here to see the formula and dramatic results. Click here to order House Of Tsang Mongolian Fire Oil from Hormel. Click here to see more (visitor suggested) solutions (including two commercial products). |
Runtilla - July 20, 2013:
Click here to open the registration form. Click here to see pictures from 2012. |
Amazing Race - July 27, 2013:
Click here to open the registration form. Click here to see last year's teams. |
Cool Stuff & What All BayLakers Should Know |
Your Support Is Needed:
It's never too late to become a BLIA member and/or to contribute to the BLIA Environmental Fund.
To get memberships on-line, click here. To get them by mail, click here. To read the 2012 Environmental Fund letter, click here. To donate on-line, click here. To donate by snail mail, send your donation to: BLIA, PO Box 461, Deerwood, MN 56444.
Bay Lake is ours to love.....and protect. BLIA is the only organization with a mission to protect and enhance our lake and our community. Our success depends on you. Please join, contribute & volunteer. |
Bay Lake Sunrise Video:
Winter getting you down? Click here for a reminder of why you love Bay Lake. |
Invasive Threats:
At the BLIA 2012 Annual Meeting guest speaker Joe Shneider, President of the Christmas Lake Association, reported that (1) the threat of invasive species is just beginning, (2) the DNR can't protect our lakes and (3) it's up to us to protect Bay Lake. IF YOU LOVE BAY LAKE YOU SHOULD WATCH HIS PRESENTATION. Click here to view the first segment. Click here to view the second segment. Click here for the Q & A session. Yes, this takes commitment, but it's the future of OUR LAKE that is in jeopardy. |
Loons - Our Most Welcome Guests:
To learn about our loon population and see some terrific pictures, click here. |
Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity:
Are you building, remodeling or just clearing things out? The H4H Restore can put them to good use. Please click here to read more. |
Revised Land Use Ordinance:
The revised Crow Wing County Land Use Ordinance became effective on April 22, 2011. For your convenience, we've created links to related sections of the Crow Wing County website. To see the "Land Use Factsheet" (a summary page), click here. To see "Shoreland Alterations" (a summary page), click here. To see the entire Land Use Ordinance, click here. Questions may be answered by reviewing the Crow Wing County website (www.co.crow-wing.mn.us) or contacting Chris Pence, Land Services supervisor for Environmental Services at 218-824-1125 or Chris.Pence@co.crow-wing.mn.us. |
Calling All Fishermen:
Gary Malek, Fishing Resources Committee Chairman, has been working with the DNR in regard to the Lake Management Plan for Bay Lake. To read a copy of the Plan, click here. |
Too Many "Hammer Handles":
To read an article by Gary Malek, BLIA Fishing Resources Committee Chairperson, regarding the mix of fish in Bay Lake and the DNR's plans, click here. To learn more click here to read a Star Tribune article titled "The Great Northern Pike Debate" and click here to read the DNR Lake Management Plan for Bay Lake. |
Attention Owners Of Swimming Rafts:
If you have a raft, please click here. |
Boating Safety & Etiquette
Our lake can be safe and friendly. To see how, click here. |
Points of Reference Map:
Have you ever wondered where Battle Point or Echo Bay or Pioneer Bay is? To see, click here. |
Cuyuna Range Historical Timeline Posters:
The Cuyuna Lakes Trail Association is offering wonderful posters for sale. To see a copy of the poster and where to buy them, click here. |
Previous Items - What You May Have Missed In 2013 |
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Upcoming Events |
Tree and Shoreland Plant Give Away
Saturday May 25th - 10AM - Noon - Lonesome Pine |
2013 BLIA Annual Meeting
July 6 - 9AM - Ruttger's |
Runtilla
July 20 - 8:15 Check-In - White Hawk |
Bay Lake Amazing Race
Saturday July 27th - 10AM Start
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2013 BLIA Board Meetings
April 20 - 11AM - Lonesome Pine
May 18 - 9AM - Ruttger's
June 8 - 9AM - Ruttger's
July 13 - 9AM - Ruttger's
August 17 - 9AM - Ruttger's
September 14 - 9AM - Ruttger's
December 14 - 11AM - Lonesome Pine |
To see the Bay Lake Calendar, click here. |
Monitor Severe Weather |
To see what's coming, click here,
scroll down to map, click on “Satellite” and click on “Future”. |
2013 BLIA Annual Meeting |
BLIA ANNUAL MEETING - JULY 6, 2013:
Come to Ruttger's at 9:00 for treats and socializing. Click here to see last year's recap. |
2013 Young Angler
Hall of Fame |
Young Angler Pictures:
Please send your pictures to ericksonpaulsue@aol.com for posting. |
BLIA Administrative Stuff |
2012 BLIA President's Letter:
Click here to read the 2012 President's Letter from Chris Ruttger. |
Membership and Support:
To get memberships on-line, click here. To get them by mail, click here. To read the 2012 Environmental Fund letter, click here. To donate on-line, click here. To donate by snail mail, send your donation to: BLIA, PO Box 461, Deerwood, MN 56444.
Bay Lake is ours to love.....and protect. BLIA is the only organization with a mission to protect and enhance our lake and our community. Our success depends on you. Please join, contribute & volunteer. |
Address Changes Needed:
BLIA is charged when mailings are returned. If you've moved (or you plan to) please email marlene@brainerd.net with the information. Thanks! |
BayLake.org Contact Information:
Email:
webmaster@baylake.org
ericksonpaulsue@aol.com
sshekels@scottdata.com
Snail Mail:
BLIA
PO Box 461
Deerwood, MN 56444 |
Bay Lake Breezes
The Breezes are now posted on-line. To see current and past issues, click here. |
BLIA Meeting Minutes:
To read meeting minutes, click here. |
Zebra Mussels |
Invasive Threats:
At the BLIA 2012 Annual Meeting guest speaker Joe Shneider, President of the Christmas Lake Association, reported that (1) the threat of invasive species is just beginning, (2) the DNR can't protect our lakes and (3) it's up to us to protect Bay Lake. IF YOU LOVE BAY LAKE YOU SHOULD WATCH HIS PRESENTATION. Click here to view the first segment. Click here to view the second segment. Click here for the Q & A session. Yes, this takes commitment, but it's the future of OUR LAKE that is in jeopardy. |
23 of Our Neighbors Trained:
Click here to read about the July 7th Access Monitor Training Session. |
GET INVOLVED......Or Buy Swimming Shoes:
Click here to see the latest Zebra Mussel pictures from Mille Lacs. We've got till ice out to RECRUIT and TRAIN a lot more Access Monitoring Volunteers and RAISE MONEY, but the messages are clear: Prevention is our ONLY hope and The ball is in OUR court. |
ILIDS Video Link:
Nothing compares to on-site inspection by Access Monitoring Volunteers, but BLIA compliments that effort by employing high tech surveillance. To see a brief sample of ILIDS video click here. |
Access Monitoring Volunteer Hall Of Fame:
Click here to read the latest update from Phil Rollins and to see a list of our currently active Access Monitor Volunteers. |
Zebra Mussels Flourish In Mille Lacs:
Click here to read an August 17th article reprinted from the Star Tribune. |
Zebra Mussels:
Prevention is the ONLY strategy and it's dependent on insuring that all boats are launched from the DNR Public Access. To read more, click here. |
Eurasian Water Milfoil |
"EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Part One:
The most often asked questions about EWM and Bay Lake will be addressed on BayLake.org. To read the answer to the first question "Have we lost the battle?", click here. |
"EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Part Two:
The second question in our Q & A series is: "EWM vs. Northern Milfoil: What's the difference? They look alike, I hate them both and it's getting worse!" To read the answer, click here. |
"EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Part Three:
The third installment in our Q & A series asks the following questions:
-How Do We Identify and Track Infestation Sites?
-How Do We Determine Which Sites To Treat?
-Fall Versus Spring Treatment: Why Do I Have To Look At The Stuff All Summer?
To read the answers, click here. |
"EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Part Four:
The fourth installment in our Q & A series asks the following questions:
-"Mechanical Harvesting vs. Chemical Treatment: Why Don't We Just Cut The Darn Stuff"
-"If Treatment Is So Good, Why Not Treat The Whole Lake?
To read the answers, click here. |
"EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Part Five:
The fifth installment in our Q & A series asks the following questions:
-"What Can I Do With EWM Around My Dock?"
-"What Herbicide Do We Use?"
-"Why Don't We Use the Herbicide "Sonar" (Like Michigan)?"
-"Should We Drastically Expand Treatment?"
To read the answers, click here. |
| "EWM: Our Exotic Invader"---Series Conclusion: To read the final article, click here. |
Environmental |
Buffer 101:
We ALL know that natural and buffered shorelines protect our lake and enhance our property, but "it looks complicated" and "maybe next year" keep us from doing anything. Folks, it's time to take the first step. Click here to see how. |
Annual Tree & Plant Giveaway:
For decades, BLIA has been helping members enhance their property and protect Bay Lake by giving away seedlings and shoreline plants. Click here to read about this beneficial program. |
The BLIA Environmental Fund Preserves Bay Lake:
To read the 2011 Environmental Fund letter, click here.
To donate on-line, click here.
To donate by snail mail, send your donation to:
BLIA
PO Box 461
Deerwood, MN 56444 |
| Bay Lake Water Quality Reports: Crow Wing County maintains water quality reports for Bay Lake. For your convenience, we've created links to related sections of the Crow Wing County website. To see "Crow Wing County Water Quality Factsheet - Bay Lake" (a summary page), click here. To see the entire report for Bay Lake, click here. |
History |
Bay Lake History 101 Presentation:
Can you imagine Frenchmen paddling past the location of your cabin over 300 years ago? Learning a little of the history of Bay Lake is fun. To view the presentation, click here.
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Bay Lake History: Railroads & Mining:
The first of our mini-presentations is now ready. I guarantee this exciting story will capture your attention (and it only takes 10 minutes!). To open the presentation in pdf format, click here. If you want more detail, click here to open the related timeline. |
Vacation Planning:
This Bay Lake Area advertising flier is likely from the 50's or earlier. |
Another Shoreline Celebrates Success:
Click here to see pictures from the Bay Lake Shores History Project Celebration Party and learn what shoreline projects are left. |
Historic Picnic:
Click here to see turn of the century BayLakers enjoying themselves. |
Historical "Lost & Found":
Who lost an 18 HP motor in 1962 and hired a diver named Doug Erickson to find it? Click here to see the records. |
More Great Historical Pictures:
Click here to see more pictures from Dan Cook. |
Stone House Open House & Bay Lake History Day:
On August 4th the "Stone House" was 100 years old. The celebration was a fitting event. Click here to see pictures and read about the history of this landmark. |
Oh My!
You need to see where the water level was in the first half of the 1900's. There are many historical stories of emotional debates (and middle of the night dam alterations) regarding lake levels. Click here and you will see why. |
History Project Status & Party Pictures:
13 shorelines done, 4 completing this summer. Nearly 100% participation. Ending in 2012. Click here to read more and click here to see updated History Project pages.
To see pictures from the Echo Bay SW/Gray's Shore Celebration Party, click here. To see pictures of the Cottage Hill/Indian Point Kick-Off and the Woodland Beach East, Sand Beach Park & Greg Road Celebration Party, click here. To see pictures of the Indian Point /Cottage Hill Celebration Party, click here. |
The Historical Picture Contest Is Back!
Click here to see last week's winners. Click here to see the latest picture. As before, there are no prizes, but the "winners" will be announced. |
Historical Picture Contest:
It took two weeks to identify this point, but we have 3 "winners". Click here to see the most recent winner and a new picture. In order to minimize download time I started a new Previous Pictures and Winners page. Click here to see Previous Pictures and Winners - Volume Two. Click here to see Previous Pictures and Winners - Volume One. |
2012 Memories |
First the Good News, but then the Bad News:
Click here to see the 2012 Annual Meeting Recap. |
Wow!
Click here to see Morgan Hawley's great catch. |
Nice Sunfish:
Click here to see Grant Bowman. |
Oh My, Check Out This Bass:
Click here to see Max McGraw. |
First Fish:
Click here to see Grant and Evy Bowman. |
31" Walleye:
Click here to see Sam Broman. |
A Family of Anglers:
Click here to see the Faster Family Anglers. |
Brothers Haul Them In:
Click here to see Aidan & Will Emerson. |
First 2012 Young Angler:
Click here to see Hattie Pettit. |
Walleye Envy:
Click here to see Carolyn Sweeney's great catch (and faithful fishing partner). |
New Year’s Day Service
Click here to see pictures from a cold but worthwhile service on Church Island. |
2012 BLIA Holiday Party
It's hard to beat a gathering of Bay Lake friends and neighbors in the cozy atmosphere of Ruttger's Lodge. Fortunately it was held the day before the storm. Click here to see the pictures. |
End of Season Church Island Service & Gathering Is A Huge Success:
Click here to see the pictures and read about the event. |
Kelsey Peterson Fundraiser:
Click here to read about the September 29th fundraiser at Lonesome Pine. |
EWM & Zebra Mussel Inspection:
Click here to read David Devin's August 24, 2012 letter asking residents to check their shoreline. |
How Many Loons Do We Have?
Click here to read the Jon Wefald's 2012 Loon Report. |
Record Setting 28th Annual Runtilla:
Click here to read the 2012 Recap. |
It Couldn't Have Been Any Better:
Click here to see the 2012 Golf Scramble & Picnic recap. |
Interesting BayLake.org Activity Stats:
Oh my...our little community website had nearly 50,000 hits in the last three weeks of August 2011. Click here to view an interesting and easy to read graphic about BayLake.org activity. |
New & Improved "End Of Season" Event:
Come help Church Island celebrate another successful season. Enjoy pie, ice cream, hot dogs and Bay Lake camaraderie. Click here to see more about the event. Click here to see the flier about the new auctions. |
3rd Annual "Big Swim":
Click here to see pictures of this wonderful event. |
Runtilla 2012:
Click here to see the Runtilla pictures. |
BayLaker Injured:
Please click here to read about a BayLaker who needs help. |
Amazing Race Is An Amazing Success!
The first (annual...we hope) Amazing Race was a huge success. Click here to see the teams. Then start forming teams for next year. |
*****HIGH WATER ALERT CONTINUES**********
Boaters are responsible for their wake. Please remember that even wakes that are created in the middle of a bay eventually hit the shore.
Click here to read more and see pictures. |
Neighborhood Gatherings Strengthen The Community:
Click here to see the 2012 Brighton Point Party. |
Church Island Events:
Click here to see what's coming to Church Island in July. |
Invasives Threaten Our Trees (Too):
Click here to read an important letter from the Plan Protection Division of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. |
Yuk......They're Back:
We've heard two worm reports this week. The first was regarding Forest Tent Caterpillars. Click here to see recent informative articles on the DNR website (including "forest tent caterpillars: good, bad or just ugly?"). Also, according to a news report, the DNR says that some sort of "cut leaf" worm is moving north. Isn't nature great? |
| The BLIA Tree & Plant Giveaway is this Saturday, May 26, from 10-12 AM at Lonesome Pine. The trees and plants are free to BLIA members. Click here for pictures. |
2011 Memories |
One More “2011 Young Angler”:
Click here to see Jack (and Gary) Malek. |
Help From Grandpa:
Click here to see Everett (and Dave) Perry. |
Success At Woodland Beach Resort:
Click here to see Brandon Bunger & Billy Vohle. |
Diving for Fish:
Click here to see Sara. |
Brother & Sister Team:
Click here to see Mason & Kylie Mulheran. |
Nice Bass:
Click here to see Adrienne Lee. |
Crappies Galore:
Click here to see Ella England. |
One To Remember:
Click here to see Evelyn Haeg |
Cool Fisherman:
Click here to see Jake Goecke. |
Check Out This 2010 Winner:
Click here to see Sam Schwartzbauer. |
Beginners luck or the start of a great fishing career?
To see Nickolas Benson and his huge sunfish, click here. |
Monster Crappie:
To see Quinn Daugherty, click here. |
27" Walleye:
To see Jonathan Paquette, click here. |
Our High Water Level Is Now Serious:
We're used to high water in the spring, but record levels during primetime creates a multitude of problems. Some are a nuisance. Others involve long term damage. We can't control the rainfall but we can be good neighbors. Please click here to read more. |
Steve Gamble Returns to Church Island:
Long time friend of Bay Lake, Steve Gamble, will conduct the July 31st service on Church Island. To see more, click here. |
Churchyard Grass Plays Church Island:
Don't miss this special Church Island Service on July 10th. To read the details, click here. |
BLIA Holiday Party 2011 - WOW:
It couldn't have been any better. What a wonderful community! To see pictures, click here. Then put it on your calendar for next year. |
Incredible Christmas Lighting:
Bay Lake is home to a wonderful display of Christmas lighting that was recently reported in the Brainerd Dispatch. Click here to read the article and see the video. Then make time to view the display at the home of Louie & Maridee Smilich in Knieff's Shore Acres. Our community is indebted to Louie & Maridee for their work, dedication and creativity. THANKS! You make Bay Lake a community. |
No Snow, No Problem:
Click here to see the solution. |
New Year's Day Service:
Click here to see pictures from Church Island. |
Final 2011 Church Island Service & Social:
Click here to see the pictures (and then put this event on your 2012 calendar). |
More 2011 "Big Swim" Results:
Click here to see the last swimmer to cross the finish line. |
BLIA Members Thank The Scramble & Picnic Sponsors:
To see a great group picture, a list of our very appreciated sponsors and the financial results, click here. |
2011 "Big Swim" Results:
Hansen's to White Hawk. Wow! Click here to learn more. |
2011 BLIA Golf Scramble & Picnic:
Lots of sun, a couple light showers, a ton of fun and money for the BLIA Environmental Fund. To see pictures from this wonderful Bay Lake tradition, click here. |
2011 Runtilla Pictures:
Click here to see pictures of this wonderful event. |
2011 BLIA Runtilla:
Wet but successful. To read more, click here. |
2011 BLIA Annual Meeting:
On July 2nd, Chris Ruttger chaired an informative (but concise....... the most information per minute on record) and social annual meeting. To see pictures, click here. |
David's Annual Meeting EWM Update:
To read the update, click here. |
Income Less Expenses Equals A Deficit. See The Numbers:
To see the pie charts that were presented by BLIA Environmental Fund Treasurer Chris Gondeck at the 2011 BLIA Annual Meeting, click here. |
2011 Environmental Fund Presentation:
Trish Jesperson & Dominic Ciresi gave a great Environmental Fund presentation at the BLIA Annual Meeting. Their message is clear: To continue meeting our environmental challenges (primarily EWM treatment, access monitoring and water quality initiatives) we need to raise more money. Our giving isn't keeping up with our needs. Or, to put it bluntly, WE need to increase our giving. Please click here to view their slides. When it comes to preserving Bay Lake, letting things slide isn't an option. |
2011 Fireworks:
WOW! To see the pictures of this wonderful Bay Lake tradition, click here. |
BLIA Tree & Plant Giveaway:
BLIA members continue to enhance and protect Bay Lake by planting seedlings and native shoreline plants. To see the article and pictures, click here. |
Water, Water, Water Everywhere:
To read about our high water level, click here. |
Oh My!
To check out the hats (and Baylakers) at Derby Days, click here. |
2010 Memories |
Access Monitor Volunteer "Hall of Fame":
These folks are out there on the front line. To see the volunteer list, click here. |
Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) 2010:
To see a map of the 2010 infestation sites, click here.
To read about BLIA’s EWM treatment strategy, click here.
To see EWM ID cards, click here. |
Awesome Bay Lake fireworks
To see pictures, click here. |
Minnow Camp 2010:
Once again, Minnow Camp is a huge success. To see the pictures, click here. |
Runtilla Is A Huge Success (Again!):
To read about the 2010 Runtilla, click here.
To see event pictures, click here.
To see award pictures, click here. |
Fantastic Golf Scramble & Picnic:
To see the pictures, click here. |
The Fishing Contest Builds Memories:
To see the winners (and a "whopper"), click here. |
Fellowship, Treats & Prizes:
To see pictures of the final 2010 Church Island Service (& Hot Dog, Pie & Ice Cream Social), click here. |
2010 Fishing Contest Update:
To see the competition, click here. |
2010 Runtilla Results:
To see the winners, click here. |
And the Winners Are.....KIDS!
The first annual (?) "Send A Kid To Camp" swim relay was a little cool, but very successful. To read about it, click here. NEW |
Gary's "Dockers" Pull Together For BLC:
To see who, click here. |
Have Fun While Protecting Bay Lake:
To see Access Monitor Volunteers in action, click here. |
Water Sampling Along The New Highway:
To see our volunteers in action, click here. |
Fishing Contest Memories:
To see the "catch" (and a couple of proud anglers), click here. |
"Fall Beauty" Pictures:
To see Bay Lake dressed up in her finest fall colors, click here. |
BLIA Christmas Party 2010:
In spite of Mother Nature, the 2010 BLIA Christmas Party was a wonderful success. Great food , a cozy setting and good friends. What could be better? To see the Event Article, click here. To see all of the pictures, click here. |
"Winter Beauty" Pictures:
To visit the page, click here. |
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