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

Become a member of FCAL today, and help us preserve Forest County waters, habitats, and fisheries!

Join online or by mail.

Our Environment

Invasive Species in Forest County – Learn about recognizing aquatic invasive species and what can be done to help.
Conservation Corner – A weekly article produced by the Forest County Land & Water Conservation Department.
Wake Boat & Wake Surfing Updates – See resources regarding the current controversy around wake boats & wake surfing.

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

Read the full list

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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FISHING REGULATIONS Fishing Wisconsin

FISHING REGULATIONS Fishing Wisconsin

Fishing regulations are used as a tool to ensure good fishing exists in the future. Fishing regulations are used to: control angler impacts on fish populations; maintain numbers and sizes of fish in a lake or stream; provide different types of fishing experiences,...

AQUATIC PLANTS

AQUATIC PLANTS

Aquatic plants form the foundation of healthy and flourishing lake ecosystems - both within lakes and rivers and on the shores around them. They not only protect water quality, but they also produce life-giving oxygen. Aquatic plants are a lake's own filtering system,...

It started in Wisconsin…

It started in Wisconsin…

DID YOU KNOW? Water skiing was invented in 1922, when Ralph Samuelson used a pair of boards as skis and a clothesline as a tow rope on Lake Pepin, the largest lake on the Mississippi River (in between Minnesota and Wisconsin.) Samuelson went on to teach the sport for...

Turtles may be crossing roads as they look for a place to nest.

Turtles may be crossing roads as they look for a place to nest.

Turtles can be seen crossing roads this time of year as they look for a place to nest. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages people to slow down and watch out for them. Drivers can help reduce turtle road mortality by being cautious when driving...

Hello Wakesports Reform Coalition (WRC) Members

Hello Wakesports Reform Coalition (WRC) Members

Stakeholder Meeting: We have several updates we wanted to share with you. The first being after Senator Mary Felzkowski's Town Hall meetings earlier this month, a meeting was called this week composed of legislators, the wakesports industry as well as our coalition....