about FCAL
The Forest County Association of Lakes (FCAL) is a cooperative effort between each of the lake associations in Forest County, Wisconsin to protect our inland water bodies, environs, and watershed. As a team, we facilitate research and sharing between organizations, governmental bodies, and the general public and work together to preserve the aesthetic beauty, water quality, wildlife habitats, and fisheries within Forest County.
Join FCAL
Join online or by mail.
Our Environment
Forest County Courtesy Code
- Be Kind to Wildlife, Your Neighbors, & Your Lake
- Watercraft Safety – OBEY THE LAWS, REGULATIONS, & RULES
- Clean Boats/Clean Waters – OBEY THE LAWS, REGULATIONS, & RULES
REPORT INVASIVE SPECIES VIOLATIONS TO THE DNR’S TIP LINE
1-800-847-9367
OTHER VIOLATIONS CAN BE REPORTED TO Austin Babich WDNR WARDEN
608-896-5217 or ">
Or FOREST COUNTY SHERIFF
715-478-3331
WDNR Tip Line
800-847-9367
Forest County Sheriff’s Recreation Officer–Chad Mullis
715-478-3331
RECYCLING MONOFILAMENT FISHING LINE
If left out in the environment, monofilament fishing line can tangle or be ingested by wildlife, endanger swimmers or become wrapped around boat propellers. It can last up to 600 years in freshwater, meaning it poses a threat for a long time. Removing discarded fishing line from the environment is a great first step. Recycling gives it new life.
How to recycle old fishing line
Monofilament fishing line is the line anglers most commonly use: single-strand, high-density nylon. Recyclers that specialize in fishing line melt it down into plastic pellets, which are then recycled into products such as tackle boxes, spools for fishing line, toys and fish habitat structures.
Look for collection bins specifically designed for fishing line at boat launches or similar locations. Line may also be mailed directly to:
Berkley Recycling
1900 18th Street
Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360
Never put fishing line in regular recycling bins as it can cause major issues at recycling facilities designed to handle cans, bottles, paper and cardboard.
Forest County Association of Lakes are building monofilament fish line containers. We are donating them to Forest County lake associations that are members of FCAL for their boat landings. They have been installed on Camp Six Lake, Lily Lake, Little Long Lake, Pine Lake, Pickerel Lake, Roberts Lake, Lake Lucerne, Silver Lake and Lake Metonga. Anyone who is interested in obtaining a container can contact us through this website by filling out the contact us form or purchase one.
News & Events
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New Potawatomi Chairman selected
The Forest County Potawatomi Community has elected a new Chairman. A post on the Forest County Potawatomi Community Facebook page congratulated Chairman Brooks Boyd Sr. He had previously been serving on the Potawatomi Executive Council. Boyd follows James Crawford in...
What happens when you restore a shoreline that’s been developed? These researchers are working to find out.
After staking out plots along the shores of Crystal Lake in Vilas County, Caroline Gruber and Madeline Hetland begin documenting what they see. They’re undergraduate research fellows at UW Trout Lake Station. Gruber is focused on the woods along the shore. Katie...
Clean Boats, Clean Waters Landing Blitz focuses on keeping aquatic invasive species out of lakes
Wisconsin law requires boaters to take certain steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. This includes removing mud and any plants or animals attached to their boats or trailers, drain all water from boats, and to never move plants or live fish away...
Top 10 Largest Lakes in the U.S.
From tiny ponds to bodies of water the size of entire countries, the United States is home to hundreds of thousands of lakes. America’s lakes create natural habitats for countless fish, bird, and amphibian species and play a key role in everything from recreation to...
Garlic mustard aphids may help to slow down the invasive plant
Hopes are one non-native species may help slow down another. Garlic mustard is one of the earliest invasive plants to be found in the spring. It’s widespread throughout Wisconsin. Hopes are the garlic mustard aphid may help by munching on the plants. The aphid was...
Alcohol on board: smooth sailing or serious legal trouble?
State Bar of Wisconsin June 17, 2025 Know Your Legal Rights is a bi-monthly column distributed by the State Bar of Wisconsin. It is sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), which connects Wisconsin residents with lawyers throughout the...
