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–Bill Stanley
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.
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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Deer hunter discovers rare subtropical wood stork in the wilds of Wisconsin
By Associated Press August 16, 2025 MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A very rare and apparently very confused subtropical wood stork somehow found its way to the wilds of Wisconsin. A hunter scouting for deer first sighted the bird Sunday in a remote section of the Mud Lake...
Surprising stories behind 6 Wisconsin shipwrecks
By Cassidy Grubusic Did you know there are more than 700 known shipwrecks in the Wisconsin Great Lakes? And while some are beginning to disappear, many are remarkably well-preserved due to the fresh, frigid lake waters. Every year, people from all over the...
The 5 Largest Reservoirs in the U.S.
Building a dam leads to the creation of enormous artificial lakes known as reservoirs. They are used to store water later used to supply households and businesses, as well as for collecting water that generates hydroelectricity. Moreover, many of these bodies of water...
Wild Instincts takes in more than 1,000 animals each year. Its funded almost entirely by donations
“It's been a very strange year.” Wild Instincts Wildlife Rehabilitation Director Mark Naniot says this year will likely be right up there with the record number of animal admissions. That’s not the strange part. “Not as many songbirds, like I said, a lot more mammals...
Which States Have the Most Lakes?
Who doesn’t love a lake? They’re the perfect place to idle the day away swimming, boating, waterskiing, or fishing. But what exactly defines a lake? Scientists and government agencies differ on which bodies of water count as big enough to be considered a lake, and...
Snapshot Day invites people to search lakes and rivers for aquatic invasive species
Eurasian water milfoil, curly leaf pondweed, and spiny water fleas are a couple aquatic invasive species known to have found their way into some lakes in the Northwoods. “It's definitely not a losing battle,” said Emily Heald, the Rivers Educator with UW Madison...
