2025 Annual Meeting Recap: A Year of Growth and Achievement!

Our June 28th Annual Meeting brought together 31 members at the Boulder Community Center to celebrate our accomplishments and chart the course ahead for our lakes.

Strong Foundation, Bright Future

President Paul Egelhoff kicked off the event with a welcoming video message, and Roger Larson led us through a review of the year’s impressive accomplishments. The association continues to build on its strong foundation. We’ve modernized with new membership software, enhanced our website, improved communication tools, and strengthened partnerships with local governments, fellow lake associations, and the DNR. Our fully staffed board is working hard on your behalf, and it shows.

Financial Health and Growing Membership

Great news on the financial front! As of late June, we have $35,281.50 in our treasury and are up to date with all state filings. Plus, paying dues and making donations is easier than ever—you can now use credit cards, Venmo, checks, or cash.

Our membership remains stable with new members joining as others move on. We currently have 113 memberships (109 households, 3 businesses, and 1 Friend of HFRLA), up from 92 last year. Those May postcards helped bring in new members to our lake community. Thank you to all our new and returning members.

Walleye Campaign Update: Nearly There!

The Walleye Initiative continues to be a tremendous success story! Our fall 2023 stocking showed “good to very good” survival rates according to DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist Eric Wegleitner. We’re nearly at our $20,000 fundraising goal (currently at $17,750) for this fall’s stocking of 5,550 extended growth walleye from Silver Moon Springs. These fish provide us with the best opportunity to establish a healthy walleye population in our lakes.

Taking Action on Wake Boats

In a significant move to protect our lakes, members unanimously passed a resolution supporting the proposed ordinance restricting artificial wake enhancement on High Lake and Big Gibson. Special thanks to Steve Kessler from The Last Wilderness Lake Alliance for presenting this important initiative. Our collective voice matters, and we’re making it heard at both Land O’ Lakes and Boulder Junction town meetings.

Lake Health and Conservation

Our water quality monitoring continues thanks to Helen Schott, Henry Royer, and Kathy Royer, who regularly test the water quality at Fishtrap and High Lakes. The invasive species remain stable, with Japanese Knotweed and Yellow Iris on High Lake and narrow-leaf cattail on Rush Lake, though the Nyad appears to have receded to expected levels. Mark your calendars for July 2026 when we’ll conduct a comprehensive lake survey—volunteers may be needed!

Linda Pils, our dedicated Loon Ranger, reports active loon families across our lakes, with successful chicks on Fishtrap South (1), High Lake’s Frog Island (2), and Bear Island (1). While Wisconsin’s loon population faces challenges, it’s heartening to see these magnificent birds thriving on our waters.

Community Improvements

Good news for town road residents: the Town of Boulder Junction secured a grant to pave High Lake Road, Ridge Road, and High Pines Lane this summer and fall. Please be patient with the construction—smoother roads are coming! Thanks to Greg VanGrinsven for sharing this update from the town’s roads committee.

Board Elections

Congratulations to our elected board members for their two-year terms:

• Mark Pabelick (new Member-at-Large #4)
• Helen Schott and Roger Larson (sharing At-Large #3)
• Gary Tielens/Nicole Wilkin (High Lake #2, shared)
• Wayne Guzy/Martha Holman (High Lake #3, shared)
• Bonnie Kruckenberg (Fishtrap #3)

We’re grateful to have both returning members and fresh perspectives on the board!

Thank You!

A special thanks to guest speaker Chuck Pils, whose presentation on “The Reintroduction of Trumpeter Swans: A Success Story” was both informative and inspiring. And to everyone who stayed for the potluck lunch—your fellowship and community spirit are what make HFRLA special!

We have exciting projects ahead and always welcome member involvement. Together, we’re protecting and preserving our beautiful lakes for generations to come.

Here’s to another great year on the water!