Greetings from the Minnewaska Lake Association (MLA). The spring and summer of 2024 provided great fishing opportunities on Lake Minnewaska. Walleye fishing was excellent, with many limits taken throughout the lake. The sunfish, bass, and northern pike were abundant. This past winter we had a return to more uniform ice conditions. There were many fish houses on the lake and the sunfish, crappie, and walleye fishing was productive.
Minnewaska became recognized as a MN Keep It Clean Lake this year (in conjunction with the 2023 MN State Law) and MLA organized an end of season ice clean-up event in partnership with Lakeside scheduled for March 2, 2025. Unfortunately, the prior week brought unseasonably warm temperatures including a rainstorm and the event was cancelled due to uncertain ice conditions and safety concerns for participants.
MLA held our 24th Annual Banquet on June 29, 2024, at the Minnewaska House. Once again, we had a complete SELL OUT at the banquet. Because of the GREAT support we received from donors and those who attended last summer, it was another successful Banquet.
We are looking forward to the 25th Annual MLA Banquet scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025. It will once again be held at the Minnewaska House. Because of the complete sell-out for the last two years, we highly recommend that you get your tickets early. They will be printed by early April and you can mail in your payment for the memberships, donations, and tickets using the form on the back page of this newsletter. These tickets will be mailed to you. Please be aware: Banquet tickets have been selling out early. We will post to our website when sold out.
The MLA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so your donations are tax-deductible. Memberships, banquets, and donations are the primary funding sources for MLA projects. We are planning several projects in 2025, and we hope you will consider renewing your membership and donating to help us make these projects possible. MLA is dedicated to the preservation of Lake Minnewaska.
The MLA continues to coordinate with the Mayor and City Council of Starbuck regarding Aquatic Invasive Species surveys and treatments in the Starbuck Marina and the main lake- please refer to more details in this newsletter. The reconstruction of the Starbuck Marina lighthouse, which was destroyed in a 2022 storm, was completed in September 2024 and once again serves as a landmark and provides safety for night time boaters.
This past winter, MLA donated and delivered two cabinet mounted Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) to the cities of Glenwood and Starbuck. They are installed on the outside of the concession stand buildings at each of the city beaches as life safety devices and are available year-round to the public if needed for a cardiac emergency.
With all of the fishing pressure that we have on Lake Minnewaska, it is essential that we continue the walleye stocking program we have been running since 1998. We thank the Pope County Land & Resource Department and the MN DNR for their past and continued financial help with the invasive species projects on Lake Minnewaska.
Thank you all for renewing your membership. Please consider adding a donation, which will allow the MLA to continue to invest in the stewardship of our amazing Lake Minnewaska natural resource. We look forward to seeing you all at our 25th Banquet on June 28, 2025.
Respectfully,
Steve Nelson,
President MLA