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Our three loon pairs have returned for the summer. They each appear to have nested, and hopefully will each hatch two baby loons. Please stay at least 100 feet from any loons and their nests, so as not to disturb them.

If you are idle in the water and they approach you, enjoy them, but be careful when you motor away. Last year we had only two successful baby loons on our lakes and only 10 in our entire county.

A pair of ospreys have been sighted on our nesting platform on Buchanan Road, between the Main Lake and Lake of the Clouds. We wish them well in hatching and raising two or three baby ospreys as they have in past years. In our entire county last year, we had reports of 17 nests and 21 total baby ospreys. We also have reports of six bald eagle nests within Mecosta County.

LAKE STEWARDS (Canadian Lakes members), periodically patrol our lakes to observe non-compliance with CLPOC Rules and state boating laws. They may also assist boaters in distress and pick up litter which they observe. They will not normally confront a boater unless they are observed doing something which appears to be an immediate hazard to themselves or others.

Both the Mecosta County Sheriff Department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers patrol our lakes periodically to ensure that State boating and fishing laws are being followed but will not enforce CLPOC Rules. Our Lake Stewards program is established to help assure safe operations on the waters of Canadian Lakes, and report observed violations to the Canadian Lakes Safety Department.

We currently have four Lake Stewards on the Main chain of lakes and one on Lake of the Clouds. The only obligation is to perform a patrol with a boat or pontoon, displaying the Lake Steward’s sign, at least three times each summer boating season. Any time a Lake Steward is boating for any reason on the lake they are encouraged to display the sign and make observations. Simple display of the Lake Steward’s sign on a boat helps serve as a safety reminder to other boaters.

We need several more Lake Stewards. If you can help, please contact Dale Doepker, Lake Steward Leader, dtroutman97@aol.com, or 972-8663.