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. Anyone who is interested in obtaining a container can contact us through this website by filling out the contact us form.
FCAL 2025 Essay Contest
“What (fill in the blank) Taught Me About My Relationship with Nature” was the topic for this year’s Forest County Association of Lakes (FCAL) essay contest. Students from 5th and 6th grades in Crandon, Laona and Wabeno were invited to participate. FCAL members made presentations in some classrooms, leading brainstorming about connections the students had with nature. Students continued to brainstorm with their teachers ways we depend on nature and ways it depends on us.
Then they wrote a myth, fable or legend in which a personified being from the natural world teaches them something important about their relationship with nature. Talking bees, trees, foxes, mushrooms and more taught lessons about protecting bees, keeping our waters clean, respecting wild animals, appreciating the plants and trees that provide oxygen for us to breathe and more.
First, second and third place winners received $100, $50 and $25 cash prizes, respectively. Awards were presented at each school. Essay contest winners and two family members are invited to attend the FCAL annual banquet on October 18. Winning essays can be seen at the Crandon Public Library and on the FCAL website at fcal-wis.org.
Crandon 5th grade (teacher Lacey Palubicki) winners are 1st place Preston Hauser, 2nd place Myles Kircher and 3rd place Ellee VanZile. Crandon 6th grade (teacher Lindsey Jaeger) winners are 1st place Drew Gerber, 2nd place Maaliyah Ward and 3rd place Tenley Teschner.
Laona 5th grade (teacher Maggie Nowicki) winners are 1st place Jase Miller, 2nd place Jackson Frank and 3rd place Jonah Peters. Laona 6th grader (teachers Michelle Ferm and Karen Biedermann) winners are 1st place TJ Perry, 2nd place Cienna Cleereman and 3rd place McKenzie Berg.
Wabeno 5th grade (teachers Darcie Zelle and Laurie VanKauwenberg) winners are 1st place Aubree Linssen, 2nd place Flynn Habeck and 3rd place Alex Beerntsen. Wabeno 6th grade winners (teacher Chris Kuntz) are 1st place Grace Yingling, 2nd place Gabrielle Boyd and 3rd place Colleen Stealer.
The mission of FCAL is to work with lake organizations, government agencies and the general public to protect Forest County inland water bodies, environs and watersheds for now and future generations. Visit us at fcal-wis.org for news, resources and information.
News & Events
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…
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 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
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....
Share your view on wake-enhanced boats
As WI takes to water over Memorial Day, share your view on wake-enhanced boats James N. Fitzhenryof the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. We want your opinion on Wakesurfing in Wisconsin and have introduced an interactive poll to get your thoughts. Please take a few...
Canadian Nightcrawlers: More Than Just Bait
If you’ve ever spent a cool morning at the edge of a lake with a fishing pole in hand, there’s a good chance you’ve used a Canadian Nightcrawler as bait. Fat, wriggly, and irresistible to fish, these worms are sold by the dozens at bait shops across North America. But...
