Municipal, County Governments Seek Input On Lake Winnebago Policy

Local leaders around Lake Winnebago want the public to tell them how to make better use of the lake. The input could lead to a more coordinated approach to things like access to boat launches and fighting invasive species.

Lake Winnebago has the distinction of being the only fresh water lake in the United States that is wholly contained in one state and is visible from space. Still, Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson says it is taken for granted.

“It contributes approximately $230 million to the local economy. It’s a really big deal. This is really the first time that the communities surrounding Lake Winnebago – everything from Calumet to Winnebago to Fond du Lac and Outagamie and the communities within it – have the chance to reach out to the public, [and] find out about their concerns – where they see the value in Lake Winnebago.”

The counties are using a $50,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources to gather comments on the Winnebago watershed. The first session is Tuesday in Appleton.

Nelson expects to hear concerns about algae blooms, fishing, and especially boating access and landing fees.

“They may talk about how if they go into one part of the lake in one county, perhaps there’s different rules and regulations than other parts – a different set of rules and so forth. We’ve been doing this now for several weeks, and so we’ve been getting feedback from everyone: from boaters to anglers, sturgeon spearers [to] people who come to Highcliff State Park.”

Nelson says the counties may band together to institute a comprehensive set of fees and rules. More in person sessions will be held later this week in the various locales.