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.

Become a Member Today

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.

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. 

Wabeno 6th Grade: Chris Kuntz, FCAL president Pam Schroeder, Grace Yingling,                                                                                                                                  Gabrielle Boyd, Colleen Stealer, Clair Carty

Laona 6th Grade: From left, FCAL board member Clair Carty, TJ Perry,                                                                                                                                                         Cienna Cleereman, McKenzie Berg, Michelle Ferm.

 Wabeno 5th Grade: From left, FCAL president Pam Schroeder, Aubree Linssen, Darcie  Zelle,                                                                                                        Flynn Habeck, Laurie VanKauwenberg, Alex Beerntsen, Clair Carty

Crandon 6th Grade: From left, Lindsey Jaeger, FCAL president Pam Schroeder,                                                                                                                                 Drew Gerber, Maaliyah Ward, Tenley Teschner, Clair Carty

News & Events

Whirling Trout Disease

Whirling Trout Disease

May 9, 2024 | ,

The Wisconsin DNR discovered a trout parasite in wild trout in southwestern Langlade County. It can lead to what’s called “whirling disease” in select species of fish....

Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting Set for July 12

Apr 10, 2024 |

“Protecting Our Waters: We’re All Connected” is the theme for the annual Northwoods Six-County Lakes Meeting, set for Friday, July 12, at Nicolet College. Lake association leaders and members along with the general public will convene to learn about and discuss our...

FCAL Essay Contest 2023

Jun 23, 2023 |

Students from Laona and Crandon 5th and 6th grades wrote essays for the Forest County Association of Lakes (FCAL) annual essay contest. The topic was “Protecting Nature from Invasive Species.” Students were asked to write a true-life or entirely fictional story of an...