THE
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
FOREST LAKE
LAKER Vol. 1 • No. 3 September 1 - December 31, 2026
FREE
FOREST LAKE FISHING TEAM PAGE 1C
Also Featured
IMPARED WATERS UPDATE PAGE 6A
Press Publications
WHO TAKES CARE OF FOREST LAKE? BY KENNETH WOOD
PRESIDENT, FOREST LAKE LAKE ASSOCIATION
More people than you might think. Many people assume the City, the Watershed, or the DNR takes care of Forest Lake. The truth is: much of what keeps Forest Lake clean, safe, and enjoyable happens because Forest Lake Lake Association (FLLA) works together with our neighbors and all those organizations and more.
Pat Napoli | Contributed A beautiful sunset is captured over Forest Lake.
FLLA is a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting, improving, and enjoying Forest Lake for everyone who lives on, boats on, fishes, swims, or simply enjoys the lake.
DID YOU KNOW? FLLA...
✓MAKE Is supported by more than 630 members. A DIFFERENCE ✓ON Partners with the City of Forest Lake, Comfort Lake–Forest Lake Watershed FOREST LAKE District, Minnesota DNR, Washington County, and the Washington County
Office. TheSheriff's Forest Lake Lake Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing Forest Lake through Put together a $150,000+ annual Tri-Partyeducation, partnership with the CLFLWD and water quality initiatives, invasive species prevention, andthe advocacy. membership preserve the species lake for treatment, boat inspections, City ofYour Forest Lake for helps aquatic invasive boating, fishing,vegetation swimming, and future generations. and native harvesting.
✓
✓EVERY Owns MEMBERSHIP and maintains the SUPPORTS: lake's navigation and rock warning buoys. Aquatic Invasive Species prevention ✓ Helps fund expanded weekend boat inspections to prevent new invasive species
Contributed The Forest Lake Fire Department rescued an owl that was stuck in a fishing line suspended from a tree at Forest Hills Golf Course.
Water quality improvement from entering Forest Lake. projects
Lake vegetation management ✓ Invests in public improvements, including the Public Dock and new protective Advocacy for responsible lake development
Liz Moscatelli | Contributed This Eagle was spotted hanging out on the shores of Forest Lake.
corner bumpers. A stronger voice for the future of Forest Lake
✓ Coordinates and executes with CLFLWD aquatic invasive species monitoring and treatment on professional lake surveys and scientific recommendations. JOIN FLLA based TODAY!
✓
FLLA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), and your donation is conducting a Boatincome Density Survey summer to help guide future tax Is deductible for federal taxes. Jointhis more thandiscussions 40 lake sponsors over 500 individuals aboutand boating safety and lake management. who believe our lake is our number one asset!
✓ Keeps members informed through email updates, community meetings, and Household Membership: $50/year events throughout the year.
Lake Sponsor Membership: $300/year
✓ FLLA FREE FLAG! August 29th, 2026 to watch the 15th NEWis MEMBERS hosting aRECEIVE boat tieAup on Saturday Annual Ron Baker Sr. Memorial Regatta power boat races, come join us! forestlakelakeassociation.com If you prefer to mail a check Forest Lake Lake Association P.O. Box 61 Forest Lake, MN 55025
Liz Moscatelli | Contributed The lake is always packed with boat traffic on the Fourth of July.
Neighbors Working Together Our focus is simple: Neighbors working together to protect, improve, and enjoy Forest Lake. Whether you're already Stay a member simply enjoy spending time on Forest Lake, you informedor about lake projects, events, benefit from these efforts. and important updates by signing up for
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Thank you to everyoneforestlakelakeassociation.com/contact-us. who supports FLLA. Not a member yet? We'd join your Eachlove time to Thehave Laker you is published, one neighbors. email subscriber will beneighbors randomly selected to win Taking care of Forest Lake is what do together. $100. Four winners will be drawn each year.
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FOREST LAKE LAKE ASSOCIATION
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LOCATED IN BEAUTIFUL FOREST LAKE, MINNESOTA
2A THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
The Cargo Manifest
Port of Call WATER, PARKS AND TRAILS UNIT p. 7A
Port of Call HOUSE TOUR p. 1B
Harvest your best lake life this fall Autumn is here, so, appropriately, we’ve stuffed this issue of The Forest Lake Laker full of colorful stories and events. Between pulling up the dock and pulling out the boat, pull up a chair and let this issue pull you in. The Laker Calendar on Page 4A has the latest events we’re sure you’ll fall for, including the Great Lakeside Festival in September, a booya at the American Legion in October and the Hometown Holiday in December. Learn about the water as Comfort Lake — Forest Lake Watershed District plumbs the depths with Contributing Writer Erik Suchy to take readings of water quality. Staff Writer Logan Gion details how Comfort Lake’s delisting from the impaired waters list came from Forest Lake efforts. Special Correspondent Angie Hong from East Metro Water Education Program explains why and how lake water turns green. Back on the surface, Contributing Writer Graham Johnson rides along with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, offering readers a look at the department’s Water, Parks and Trails Unit. Meanwhile, Suchy surveys the Forest Lake Fishing Team and hooks into advocacy group MN-Fish. On the shore, Managing Editor Shannon Granholm views the home of Liz and Gari Moscatelli while Gion traverses a restored north shore trail. Special Correspondent Justin Brink details the history of Forest Lake’s first hospital. Reading these stories is bound to make one hungry and thirsty, so Mallards Southern Kitchen has included a recipe for their blackened fish tacos as well as their fall favorite rosemary pear cocktail. If, during your break from boat cleaning, you discover you need new parts or even a new boat, Contributing Writer Shivam Vashishtha has an article about MarineMax that is just your speed. Even though the weather is getting colder, our crew is always warm to new content and ideas, so if you have thoughts, email ppinfo@presspubs. com. From our crew to yours, we hope your sweater weather has never been better.
A Continuation of The Lowdown Material may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form whatsoever.
Front page photos- Paul Dols | Press Publications Top: Kayakers launch from shore. Bottom Left: Dogs celebrate dog days of summer on the lake. Liz Moscatelli | Contributed Bottom Right: A black lab named Ranger and a English cram retriever Sailor enjoy a boat ride on Forest Lake.
THE LAKER Staff
Galley ROSEMARY PEAR p. 6B
Fishery FOREST LAKE FISHING TEAM p. 1C
Publisher - Carter Johnson General Manager - Patty Steele Managing Editor - Shannon Granholm Staff Writer- Logan Gion Copy Editor - Amy Johnson Production Manager - Mary Peterson Photojournalist - Paul Dols
©2026 The LAKER is proudly published by Press Publications. 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 The LAKER will return January 2027
SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER
3A
SHORE LEAVE | EVENTS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
SEPTEMBER
LAKER CALENDAR Contact: 651-272-5122 or wyomingcreativearts.org
Scandia Taco Daze
The Final Clue Reveal: Forest Lake Area Chamber Annual Awards Gala
When: Saturday, Sept. 12 Where: Scandia Community Center and various locations in Scandia Details: Vendors, food trucks, farmers market, beer garden, car and tractor show, games and activities. Parade at 4 p.m., Zydeco music 5-7 p.m. Contact: scandiamarinelions.org/ tacodaze
When: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 Where: Splitrocks Entertainment Center, Details: Evening to celebrate local businesses, organizations and individuals includes dinner, interactive mystery entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Contact: forestlakechamber.org/annualawards-gala
12th Annual Black & White Exhibit Grand Opening
When: 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Collaborative art show by regional artists in a variety of black-andwhite mediums. Contact: 651-272-5122 or wyomingcreativearts.org
Columbus Fall Fest
Contributed
FOREST LAKE FARMERS MARKET
When: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through October Where: Forest Lake City Hall, 1408 Lake St. S. Details: Fresh flavors are waiting for you each weekend. Meet local growers, artisans and community members as you treat yourself to the freshest ingredients. Contact: ci.forest-lake.mn.us/327/Farmers-Market
When: Sept. 18-20 Where: Columbus City Park and Community Center Details: Exhibitors, demos, car show, live music, kids activities and bounce houses, raffles, food and beverages on Saturday. Lions pancake breakfast from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday. Contact: columbusfallfest.com
OCTOBER
Where: Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N., Scandia Details: Children can test-drive their costumes and go door to door to each of the historic buildings. Halloween crafts and photo opportunities available. Contact: gammelgardenmuseum.org/ event/trick-or-treat-2026
The Great Lakeside Festival
Back in Black
Pull Up Pictures
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 Where: Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 E. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake Details: Family festival with artisans and makers, local small businesses, food trucks, music, games, prizes. Contact: gigi-ologyevents.com/thegreat-lakeside-festival
Officer Shawn Silvera Memorial 5K
When: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 Where: Invisible Wounds Project, 78 Sixth Ave. SW, Forest Lake Details: Run or walk in memory of Officer Silvera, who was killed in the line of duty — 5K run, 3K walk or Daisy Dash. Other activities including hot breakfast, food trucks and vendors, bounce houses, tour of fire truck. Contact: iwproject.org/officer-shawnsilvera-memorial-5k
Car Show and Concert for a Cause
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Running Aces, 15201 Running Aces Blvd., Columbus Details: Invisible Wounds Project fundraiser includes concert with
headliner Chris Janson and other live music in the evening. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. enjoy car show, food trucks, vendor fair, cornhole tournament, touch-a-truck and kids activities. Contact: runaces.com/concert-for-a-cause
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 Where: The Outskirts, 15201 Running Aces Blvd., Columbus Details: Concert by AC/DC tribute band. Tickets online. Contact: www.theoutskirtsmn.com
Native Plant Seeds: Harversting, Cleaning, and Storing
When: 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Learn why it's important to save native perennial seeds, the steps to get started with seed daving, and cleaning and sorting tips. Registration required. Contact: washcolib.org
American Legion Booya and Bake Sale
When: Noon until gone, Oct. 10 Where: American Legion Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake Contact: post225.com
Trick or Treat at Gammelgarden
When: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
4A THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Where: The Outskirts, 15201 Running Aces Blvd., Columbus Details: Enjoy a triple movie feature with “Goosebumps,” “Hocus Pocus” and “The House with a Clock in its Walls” outside under the stars. Tickets online. Contact: www.theoutskirtsmn.com
NOVEMBER Shredding event
When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 Where: North Environmental Center, 6065 Headwaters Pkwy, Forest Lake Details: Washington Counmty residents and businesses can drop off up to 6 bozes/30 lbs of documents for shredding and recycling. Contact: washingtoncountymn. gov/3434/Property-Environment
Watercolor Northern Lights Senior Art Class
When: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Make a needle felting project in a art class for seniors. Supplies provided.
'That's What Eye Saw' Exhibit Opening When: 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Collaborative exhibit featuring the work of dozens of regional photograhers. Exhibit runs through Jan. 16. Contact: 651-272-5122 or wyomingcreativearts.org
DECEMBER Forest Lake Hometown Holiday
When: Friday, Dec. 4 Where: Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 East Broadway Details: Food and craft vendors, bonfire, live entertainment, visit with Santa, and tree lighting. Contact: forestlakechamber.org
Duniya Drum and Dance
When: 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Learn about traditional instruments, rhythms, and dances from Guinea, West Africa in a high energy interactive performance with Duniya Drum & Dance. Contact: washcolib.org
Luciadagen
When: 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 Where: Old Church at Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N., Scandia Details: Program includes a reading, message and songs led by a soloist from an capella ensemble, DeCantus, followed by Lucia Buns and beverages at the Valkommen Hus. Contact: gammelgardenmuseum.org/ event/luciadagen2026
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District
Tiny Beetles Take on a Big Problem CLFLWD staff collecting beetles for rearing The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District is using a tiny beetle to help control one of Minnesota's most aggressive invasive plants—purple loosestrife. Native to Europe and Asia, purple loosestrife has spread throughout North America since it was first discovered near Lake Ontario in 1869. It thrives along lake shorelines, wetlands, roadside ditches, and other wet areas. A single plant can produce more than two million seeds each year, allowing it to spread quickly and crowd out native plants that provide important wildlife habitat.
beetles collected
One of the most successful ways to manage large infestations is through biological control. Purple loosestrife grows 3 to 7 feet tall and produces distinctive purple-pink flower spikes throughout the summer. Because it can resemble native plants such as blue vervain, fireweed, and JoePye weed, proper identification is important before attempting control. One of the most successful ways to manage large infestations is
beetle rearing
beetles eating loosestrife leaves
through biological control. Specially selected Galerucella beetles feed only on purple loosestrife, weakening the plants over time while leaving native vegetation unharmed. This environmen-
tally friendly approach has been used successfully throughout Minnesota for decades. In 2025, Watershed District staff surveyed local wetlands to identify sites suitable for beetle re-
leases. Three priority locations were selected: • Forest Lake Public Launch No. 3 (adjacent to the North Trail Nature Area) • The northern bay of Keewahtin Lake along Highway 97 • The shallow pond adjacent to the Hawk Meadow Park trail system In 2026, the District launched its first purple loosestrife beetle rearing program following Minnesota DNR guidelines. Staff partnered with Wild River Conservancy to collect purple loosestrife rootstock and attended a DNR workshop where they collected their first 100 Galerucella beetles. Those beetles were raised on host plants and multiplied into thousands before being released at the three priority sites on July 1. This marks the beginning of a long-term effort to reduce purple loosestrife populations and restore healthier wetlands throughout the watershed. The District plans to continue beetle rearing and monitoring each year and is exploring opportunities to involve volunteers in future biocontrol efforts. Residents interested in learning more or volunteering can contact Matthew Hendrickson at matthew.hendrickson@clflwd.org or 651-395-5852.
44 Lake Street South, Suite A Office Hours: 8am-4pm M-F (651) 395-5850 | clflwd.org info@clflwd.org SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER
5A
FISHERY ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
COMFORT LAKE OFF IMPAIRED WATERS LIST Partially due to Forest Lake cleanup Slide 5
By Logan Gion Staff Writer
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is removing Comfort Lake in Chisago County from its impaired waters list. Comfort Lake had spent nearly 25 years on the list because of excess nutrients, especially phosphorus, which lead to algae blooms. The reason the water quality got better? Environmental projects in Forest Lake, both the body of water, as well as the city. According to Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) President Jackie Anderson, the first obstacle to improving Comfort Lake was geographical. Parts of the watershed district are in Chisago County, but CLFLWD is based in Washington County. “(The legislature) had to change the law to accommodate that,” Anderson said. “The boundaries are based on water, and there are watersheds that have more than two counties involved. So that got changed for everyone’s benefit.” In 2012, CLFLWD performed a “flowage study,” which is an examination of which bodies of water and land masses that a specific flow pattern affects and how. “Comfort Lake Watershed is really complex,” said Anne Wilkinson, a district engineer with Emmons and Oliver Resources, Inc. (EOR). Speaking at the delisting celebration, held at
Historical Context Six Lakes Total Maximum Daily Load Plan Adopted
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District established and began water quality studies & monitoring
Pre-Development Conditions: Healthy lakes prior to European settlement and development 1800’s-1900’s
1999
Water quality declined as a result of agriculture and commercial/ residential development (e.g., ditching and draining wetlands, livestock waste, increased impervious surfaces)
2008
2010
CLFLWD Rules Adopted and Permitting Program Established
Water Quality Project Implementation & Program Development 2012
2013-Present
Chisago County Petition Sunrise River Water Quality & Flowage Study
Comfort Lake slated for delisting in 2026! 2024
2026
Bone Lake removed from impaired waters list for nutrient impairment
A timeline of Comfort Lake's water quality decline and rehabilitation.
Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church this past summer, Wilkinson explained that Forest Lake and the Sunrise River Corridor System are upstream of Comfort Lake. Therefore, improving the health of these bodies of water would improve Comfort Lake. One type of environmental project, explained CLFLWD Project Coordinator Blayne Eineichner, involved placing iron-enhanced sand filters at strategic points in the flow system. These spots include the Forest Lake Target parking A Complex MapRoad for a lot, Broadway Avenue and County Complex Watershed 50. Together, the filters prevent 140 • CLFLWD boundaries pounds of phosphorus per year from and watershed entering the watershed. Another type of• project enhanced Abundant wetlands + historic ditching = wetlands by removing sediment, abundant ditched performing controlled burns and
excavating land—all to help retain water and restore wetland wildlife habitats. These projects enhanced wetlands at Bixby Park at Interstate 35 and Highway 8, the Sunrise River Wetland along Highway 61, and a tributary between MN-97 and CR-50. These projects remove 455 pounds of phosphorous per year from the watershed. Finally, Forest Lake’s second basin and Shields Lake received aluminum Comfort Lake Management District
sulfate treatments with a pH buffer. This chemical limits the amount of phosphorous that soil at the bottom of Forest Lake releases. Looking ahead, Eineichner noted that CLFLWD is looking to restore and retain shoreline, partnering with lakeshore homeowners in the watershed district. This involves planting native species, like sedges and bulrushes, to prevent erosion and filter out lawn contaminants such as fertilizer. “Native plants do so much from a water quality perspective—deep roots, long life cycle, great growth,” said CLFLWD Education and Outreach Coordinator Adam Hjelm. “Cleaner water helps Forest Lake, which then helps Comfort Lake. Everybody lives downstream from something.” For details about CLFLWD projects, including native-plant mini-grants for homeowners, visit clflwd.org, or contact Land Management Specialist Aiden Read at aidan.read@clflwd.org.
Slide 14
Little Comfort Lake Management District
wetlands
•
Divided into 4 Lake Management Districts
•
Northern flow path (Bone->Little Comfort)
•
Southern flow path (Forest->Sunrise River)
•
All flows to Comfort Lake, Sunrise River
•
All CLFLWD projects have benefitted Comfort Lake
•
Watershed approach: top-down cleanup
Bone Lake Management District
Forest Lake Management District
Flow Arrow
A panorama of Comfort Lake. After adding the body of water to its impaired waters list in 2002, the MPCA removed Comfort Lake earlier this year.
PHOTOS BY CLFLWD | CONTRIBUTED
The flow pattern of the various sectors wihtin Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed Distric.
6A THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL
A LOOK INTO WASHINGTON COUNTY’S
WATER PARKS AND TRAILS UNIT By Graham Johnson Contributing Writer
Sometimes all it takes is a wave of Washington County deputy sheriff Joshua Hutchins’ hand. While patrolling Forest Lake, Washington County’s busiest lake, Hutchins and volunteer reserve deputy sheriff Nick Suter note boat registration. They also keep an eye out for dangerous activities like gunnel and transom riding, amid loons diving into the weeds, fishermen untangling lines and jet skis cutting through the waves The Washington County Water, Parks and Trails Unit’s first goal is safety and education. Most boaters know exactly what Hutchins means as he points down to riders dangling their feet in the water off the back of the boat. Passengers move to a seat or pull their feet up and move back from the ship’s prow or transom without the sheriff’s boat even having to slow. The first stop Hutchins makes on Saturday, July 18 is for transom riding, as a boat of fishermen troll through the shallows. Hutchins and Suter pull up alongside, with the fishermen holding onto the Sheriff’s boat to keep from drifting apart. Hutchins explains why they stopped the boat and takes the registration as Suter walks through a boat safety check. “The minute you turned around I knew,” said the fisherman about his nephew dangling his feet from the back of the boat. Safety checks include making sure boats have enough lifejackets for all passengers, a throwable floatation device, a fire extinguisher and that all passengers under the age of 10 are wearing a lifejacket. The fishermen’s boat passes the safety check and, in the end, Hutchins give them a warning and sent the fishermen on their way. “That’s a perfect example of how our day goes,” said Hutchins about the stop. The Washington County Water, Parks and Trails Unit is a dedicated unit that oversees the parks and waterways of the county year-round be it from a boat or ATV. The unit is staffed by a sergeant, two full-time deputy sheriffs, seasonal full-time licensed deputy sheriffs and a group of volunteer reserve deputy sheriffs. Hutchins calls the unit a “Swiss army knife,” whose unique role changes with the seasons. The unit also comprises a water recovery team that performs water rescues and recovers bodies lost in
Photos contributed The Washington County Water, Parks and Trails Unit is in charge of Washington County’s 62 miles of waterways, in addition to trails and parks. They commonly stop boaters for dangerous activities like transom riding and perform safety checks to ensure boats have proper safety equipment. “We believe the work we do reduces the amount of incidents,” said Deputy Sheriff Joshua Hutchins.
rivers and lakes. While the unit does write citations, the majority of its work is keeping boaters safe through education. Part of the focus on education is because boaters are usually less experienced driving boats than they are with cars. Most “don’t operate a boat for hours a day like they do a car,” said Hutchins. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the number of boating licenses issued by the state of Minnesota skyrocketed, outpacing many coastal states which also saw sharp upticks. That surge of newer boaters had less experience and familiarity with boating. That inexperience is often paired with unfamiliarity about boating laws and best practices which can contribute to and create emergencies on the water. Because of the education focus, much of the
Washington County Volunteer Reserve Deputy Sheriff Nick Suter (left) and Deputy Sheriff Joshua Hutchins patrol Forest Lake as members from the Washington County Water, Parks and Trails Unit. Their primary goal is safety and education.
public’s perception of the Water, Parks and Trails Unit is similar to that of the fishermen Hutchins stopped on July 18. Officers in a boat stop other boaters for minor infractions or unsafe behaviors and then walk them through a safety check. Because of that perception—what Hutchins calls “naivete” from the public— “A good amount of people don’t think it’s necessary,” said Hutchins. While sheriffs on boats and ATVs seems like an easy gig, the reality is that “All the stuff that happens on roads happen here,” said Hutchins. Assaults, gun violence, OWIs and responding to emergencies can be complicated when on the water, slowing response times. “It’s good people enjoying their time and then the worst day of their life happens,” said Hutchins. Having dedicated teams that are familiar with the 62 miles of waterways in the county, as well as the equipment and practices to navigate them, absolutely has a place, according to Hutchins. The Water, Parks and Trails Unit fits into an ecosystem of overlapping law enforcement and emergency response teams that “all bring something to the table,” said Hutchins. From local police departments and fire departments to the water recovery team to local SWAT, responding to a crisis on the water can be a joint effort across departments. Outside of those incidents, however, most of what the unit does is educate to prevent such emergencies from happening in the first place. “We believe the work we do reduces the amount of incidents,” said Hutchins. ◼
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THE
FOREST LAKE
LAKER Vol. 1 • No. 3 SECTION B
Photos by Shannon Grahholm | Press Publications Liz and Gari Moscatelli have lived in their home on Harrow Avenue in Forest Lake for over two decades. The home is located on the south shore of Lake Two.
THE HOUSE WITH
A VIEW FROM EVERY ROOM By Shannon Granholm Managing Editor
In Minnesota, most people dream about escaping to the lake on weekends. Liz and Gari Moscatelli decided they wanted to live that feeling every day. Twenty-three years after buying their Forest Lake home on Harrow Avenue, the couple still pauses each morning to admire the water stretching beyond a wall of windows. The pie-shaped floor plan unfolds toward the shoreline, offering lake views from every room. “Most people when they walk in the house, they notice the windows right away,” Gari explained. “They don’t expect it because the front of the house is pretty boring.”
Liz added, “It’s deceiving … It just looks like a little house, and then you come in, and it is a nice surprise.” It was the unique home Liz had always imagined — and exactly the kind of property Gari knew couldn't be passed up. Gari and Liz both grew up in northern Minnesota and knew they wanted to live on a lake. Their first home was in Shoreview, and then they moved to a home across the street from Reshanau Lake in Lino Lakes, but they knew they wanted to be on a bigger lake. Gari said it all came down to location, because at the time, they were both working corporate jobs. “My goal was I wanted to boat to dinner,” Liz explained. For approximately three years, the
Moscatellis searched for lake properties on a variety of lakes, including White Bear Lake, Bald Eagle Lake, Centerville Lake, Big Marine and Long Lake, but Gari says they homed in on Forest Lake due to its location, size and recreational opportunities. Gari and Liz took the boat out on Forest Lake, and while on the south shore of Lake Two, saw the for-sale sign on the dock. “The main thing you are looking for when you buy a lake home is the property, because you can always change the building. You have got to find a good piece of property.” Gari and Liz toured the 1979 home and were HOUSE WITH A VIEW CONTINUED ON 4B
SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER 1B
SHORE LEAVE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
THE TRAIL TO RESTORATION: CLFLWD and the north shore’s oak savanna
By Logan Gion Staff Writer
Just off North Shore Trail, between the north end of Forest Lake and Cranberry Channel, lies a clearing of mediumheight grass and native flowers. This scenery surprised Aidan Read, land management specialist for Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD), when he first saw it in 2022. “When I see a woodland in Forest Lake, I usually can’t see past the first ten feet because of all the buckthorn,” Read said. As part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, CLFLWD purchased land along North Shore Trail, then began restoring it in 2023. Much of the area is uninhabitable swamp, but survey notes showed that the upland portions of the site are a naturally occurring oak savanna. The National Parks Service (NPS) defines this as “a community of scattered oak trees above a layer of prairie grasses and forbs (broadleaf plants).” The NPS also says that the oak savanna is a transition system between tall-grass prairie and woodland but contains unique species. Though once common in Minnesota, the oak savanna is now a rare ecosystem. Ironically, CLFLWD’s first step to restoring the oak savanna was to remove nearly 100 trees. These were mainly ash trees, killed by the invasive emerald ash borer. “The tough thing is that dead trees
A young native fern springs up as part of the brush layer after a controlled burn.
Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District land management specialist Aiden Read.
are a great wildlife feature,” Read said, listing eagles, woodpeckers and fireflies as animals that use dead trees as habitats. CLFLWD had to then evaluate each dead and dying ash tree for the danger which it posed. “The nice thing about ash trees as they fall is that they tend to crumble, rather than just toppling.” The next step CLFLWD took was a controlled burn. According to the soil borings that CLFLWD ecologists extracted from the site, natural fires occurred roughly once a decade before
Graceful sedge is a native Minnesota plant that provides seed heads for local wildlife.
2B THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
Photos by Logan Gion | Press Publications A view of Forest Lake's northern tip from CLFLWD's restoration site. The watershed district found that the area is a naturally occuring "oak savanna," a transition system between tall-grass prairie and woodland.
settlers came to Forest Lake. The larger trees in an oak savanna can withstand fires while the ground layer is wiped clean. “The main objective was to clear up the thatch layer and stimulate the existing seed bank,” Read explained. He continued that the site now has a healthy layer of undergrowth, but lacks a shrub layer, which will take a few more years to develop. Currently, native plants like graceful sedge and Canada goldenrod abound in the post-burn floor layer of the north shore, which Read said is fine for 2026. Going forward, CLFLWD may have to curb aggressive native plants in order to avoid a monoculture. Going forward, CLFLWD will have to decide which invasive species they will control and which they will manage on the north shore site. Read stated that buckthorn, for instance, can be completely removed. Reed canary grass, meanwhile, is so common that ecologists do not have the resources to get rid of the plant. Its seeds are airborne, and they often float up from the lake or fly down from roadways. Read noted that tools like controlled burns, mowing and limited herbicide
treatments can keep the plant at bay in the short term. Long term, Read believes that Forest Lake’s north shore will see more silver maples and paper birch trees, which will replace the felled ash trees. He also hopes to have CLFLWD partner with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to create a kayak launch into Cranberry Channel, as the spot is a favorite for anglers. Until then, Read advises the public to visit the north shore trail site—so long as they follow the rules posted on the gate—and visit often. Because Minnesota’s native-plant cycles vary from early spring to late fall, a visit in September will look different than May or July. “We’ll have lots of blooms in this area throughout the season,” Read said, “so certainly make some time to come out.” CLFLWD’s north shore trail restoration site is located a quarter mile north of Forest Lake’s Third Boat Launch, 9469 N. Forest Trail N. For more information on the work CLFLWD does and how to get involved, visit clflwd.org. ◼
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Past performance is the best indicator of future success 3B
SHORE LEAVE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ HOUSE WITH A VIEW | FROM 1B
instantly transported into the '70s. Liz described the home as “Brady Bunch,” but that did not deter them. “I thought we could fix everything; I didn’t look at anything and think ‘that can’t be redone,’” Gari said. “It all had potential.” Before they could make an offer on the home, another couple put an offer in. “I was so bummed. I was going to put my Christmas tree there… I had it all figured out,” Liz said. About a week later, their real estate agent called and told them the buyer backed out and wanted to know if they were still interested. The Moscatellis purchased the home in November 2003 and immediately got to work on renovating the space. Their Lino Lakes home ended up not selling right away, so they were paying two mortgages and trying to sell one home, while renovating the other. “It was temporary insanity,” Liz said. Gari was working in the banking industry and Liz at USA Today, and their daughters, Tia and Tessa, were 5 years old and 6 months old. But Liz was determined to make her vision come to life. She had spent years cutting out pictures from home magazines and attending Parade of Homes tours. Gari was fine leaving the house vision to Liz, as long as he got to pick out the boats and jet skis, or as he calls them his “water Harleys.” Their first Thanksgiving in the home was spent stripping wallpaper from the walls. The wallpaper came down, and they got to work painting. “We would come here every night after work. One of us would stay home with the kids, and one of us came
After they moved in, Liz and Gari spent hours upon hours stripping wall paper and painting.
Photos Contributed and Shannon Granholm | Press Publications A view of what the kitchen area of the home looked like when the Moscatellis moved in versus what it looks like now after the renovation.
here,” Liz recalled. “On weekends, we would bring the kids and hang out here all weekend and renovate. We would paint … trim, doors, and our neighbors would ask, ‘Are you ever going to move in?’” The family officially moved in June 2004. Liz’s vision all those years ago, which was meticulously documented in a spreadsheet, has helped guide them throughout the years as far as what projects to focus on. “Every year we have a project we have to do,” she
said. Gari added, “Every single thing on this house has been touched by us. Sometimes we did it ourselves, and sometimes we hired it out, depending on how complicated it was.” One of the things the couple decided not to touch was the slate stairway from the front door down into the main living space. “I love those steps. We aren’t going to touch them,” Liz explained.
One of the things Liz and Gari have not touched in the home is the original slate stairway from the main area of the home up to the front door.
The home features a double-sided fireplace from floor to ceiling made out of volcanic rock. Liz wants to update the rock, but many of her friends and family have told her to leave it be.
4B THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
HOUSE WITH A VIEW CONTINUED ON 5B
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Shannon Granholm | Press Publications The Moscatellis spend a lot of time outdoors, whether on the lake, on the dock, on the patio or on the deck.
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The kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms have all been redone. Of all the projects on the spreadsheet, the only one yet to be done is the revamping of the fireplace, which may or may not happen. The fireplace is made from volcanic rock, which Liz described as “outdated,” but many of their friends and family have encouraged them to keep it that way. The fireplace is one of Gari’s favorite features of the house. “We grew up burning wood in our fireplace,” he said. “I’m not a gas guy and want to flip a switch. I want to go get the wood, let the fire burn it and watch the Minnesota Wild or Minnesota Vikings play,” he said. Other unique features include the Mediterraneaninfluenced balconies in the main living area as well as a glass catwalk upstairs between the bedrooms that offers lake views. Liz says her favorite space is the sunroom, which she uses as an office. There is not a space in the home the couple doesn’t use. “We use every inch of this house,” Liz said. So, what’s next on the project list? Liz says it will likely be the driveway. When they are not working on a project, the Moscatellis are sure to spend time on the lake during all seasons, boating, jet skiing, fishing, ice skating or enjoying the views from the deck. “Living on a lake — You come home from work and you’re on vacation every day,” she said. ◼
SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER
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Mallards Southern Kitchen Blackened Fish Tacos From Our Kitchen to Yours Whether you're enjoying our Blackened Fish Tacos at Mallards Southern Kitchen or recreating them at home, we hope this recipe brings friends and family together around the table. Great food is best enjoyed with great company.
Serves: 1 (3 tacos) Ingredients 6 oz fish of your choice (walleye, cod, mahi-mahi, tilapia, or another mild white fish) ½ tsp blackening seasoning (At Mallards we use our signature house Cajun blend, but any quality blackening seasoning works well.) 1 fl oz cooking oil 3 (6-inch) corn tortillas 2 oz shredded cabbage 2 Tbsp citrus vinaigrette (We use our own house-made citrus vinaigrette, but your favorite light citrus dressing will work just as well.) 1 Tbsp fresh pico de gallo 1 Tbsp avocado crema (Our house-made avocado crema is one of our signature toppings, but any avocado crema or avocadolime sauce makes a great substitute.) Sriracha, to taste Microgreens (optional) 2 lime wedges Chef's Tip We love using fresh walleye at Mallards, but any mild white fish works beautifully for this recipe, making it easy to recreate at home. Photos by William Peter | Press Publications
Rosemary Pear Ingredients 1 oz pear, rosemary vanilla bean tonic 1 lemon wedge squeezed and dropped in .5 oz of pear puree 3 oz soda ½ rosemary sprig Directions Serve in an Old Fashion glass. Build in shaker over ice - Add 1 oz pear, rosemary vanilla bean tonic, 5 oz of pear puree, 1 lemon wedge squeezed and dropped in. Shake and pour into glass, top with soda and a ½ rosemary sprig Happy Hour Tips Great drinks don't always need alcohol! Enjoy this drink as written for a refreshing mocktail, or if you're feeling spirited, 1.5 oz of gin pairs beautifully with the pear and rosemary flavors. Don't know where to find rosemary vanilla bean tonic? Mallards uses Minnesota made Sweet Haven tonics , which can be purchased locally in Forest Lake at Liquor Works.
6B THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
Directions Lightly coat the fish with oil and season evenly with the blackening seasoning. Heat a flat top or cast-iron skillet over mediumhigh heat and cook until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Warm the corn tortillas until soft and lightly toasted. Toss the shredded cabbage with the citrus vinaigrette and divide evenly among the tortillas. Top with the cooked fish, fresh pico de gallo, a drizzle of avocado crema, sriracha to taste, and microgreens if desired. Serve immediately with fresh lime wedges. Did You Know? Blackening is a cooking technique made famous in Louisiana. The bold spices create a flavorful crust while keeping the fish tender, flaky, and full of flavor.
MARINEMAX HELPS FAMILIES
MAKE THE MOST OF MINNESOTA’S LAKE LIFE By Shivam Vashishtha Contributing Writer
Contributed MarineMax prides itself on being a onestop shop for all things boats.
systems before heading out on the water. MarineMax also offers ongoing support through certified service technicians, mobile repair services, winter storage and parts and accessories. Ortmann believes affordability is another misconception that often keeps prospective buyers from exploring boating. “A lot of people don’t realize boat ownership can be more affordable than they think,” he said. “With financing options and a dealership that’s there to help along the way, it opens the door for many families.” MarineMax also invests in educational and community programs designed to make boating more accessible. Its Women on Water classes introduce new boaters to operating and docking with confidence in a supportive environment. Kids in Boating classes encourage younger generations to safely enjoy Minnesota’s lakes, while demo days and on-the-water boat shows allow prospective buyers to experience different models before deciding. The company’s Getaways program brings groups of boat owners together for organized trips that help build friendships as much as boating skills. “In our industry, selling boats is important,” Ortmann stated. “But it’s really about showing people how to have fun on the water, teaching them how to use their boats and being advisors (to them) throughout ownership.” For many Minnesota families, a boat becomes more than a weekend pastime. Rather, it becomes the setting for birthdays, sunset cruises, fishing trips and traditions passed from one generation to the next. MarineMax’s goal, Ortmann said, is to help make those moments possible and to be there long after the keys change hands. ◼
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Whether it’s an early morning cruise, an afternoon of wake surfing or a quiet evening anchored with family and friends, boating has long been embedded into the culture of communities surrounding Forest Lake. MarineMax believes buying a boat should be the beginning of that experience – not the end of the transaction. With locations in Rogers and Excelsior serving boaters across the Twin Cities, MarineMax has built its business around helping customers through every stage of boat ownership. This full-service approach has helped MarineMax grow into the nation’s largest recreational boat retailer while maintaining a strong emphasis on local relationships and customer support. “We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop,” said TJ Ortmann, general manager of MarineMax. “When someone comes in, we’re not just helping them buy a boat. We’re helping them find the right boat for the way they want to enjoy the water.” That process begins with understanding how customers envision using their boat. Some families are looking for a pontoon to spend leisurely afternoons cruising the lake. Others are interested in tow sports, fishing or entertaining larger groups. Ortmann said wake surfing has become increasingly popular, driving demand for Nautique boats, while Sea Ray bow riders and Harris pontoons continue to be favorites for families looking for relaxed days on the water. Those changing preferences reflect broader trends across the boating industry. “Boating has evolved from cabin cruisers to day boats,” Ortmann added. “People want to get family the most of lake life and friends together for the day or the weekend – whether that’s wake surfing, tubing or simply dropping anchor and spending time together.” The emphasis, he said, has shifted toward experiences. That philosophy also shapes how MarineMax works with first-time buyers, many of whom arrive with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “People can find boats intimidating because they think they won’t know how to operate one,” Ortmann said. “We make that easy.” Every new owner receives a standard delivery orientation that covers boat operation, docking, trailering and onboard
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FOREST LAKE
KER LAKER Vol. 1 • No. 3 SECTION C
Contributed The Forest Lake Fishing Team is made up of 95 different junior and high school anglers within the school district. It is run by Coach A.J. Hansen, who took over from original coach/team founder Jake Mastell.
ANGLERS, UNITE:
A DEEP DIVE INTO THE FOREST LAKE FISHING TEAM By Erik Suchy, Contributing Writer
What do you get when you mix teamwork, competition and the open water of Forest Lake? For student anglers, the answer is the most fun you can have: the Forest Lake Fishing Team. The team, run by head coach A.J. Hansen, is composed of 95 junior and high school anglers within the Forest Lake School District, with the season running from May through September. But if there’s one thing Hansen wants you to know about the team, it’s what gives it an edge over other school sports like
football and hockey. “Right now, there are so many opportunities for kids who don’t play these sports but still like to be outdoors. It largely has to do with the competition aspect, because they’re competing against each other, but there are also unique opportunities for them to interact with each other as well.” The team was originally founded by then-Forest Lake High School junior Jake Mastell, while Hansen took over as coach in 2021. He admits that leading a young group of anglers wasn’t easy at first, and that building camaraderie among team members was an early challenge. Today, however, he said the team is
unwavering in its commitment to bond and look out for each other. “We’ve had several experiences since I joined that have gotten kids together, whether it's off the water, fishing with each other outside of organized events or just getting to know each other. They’re all bonding over the same common thing, and they love to fish .” But Hansen isn’t the only one who loves fishing this much. Two of the team’s senior anglers, Wyatt Wilson and Wyatt Smith, both say they were drawn to join the team for the same reason. “I’d already done some tournaments with my dad, FISHING TEAM CONTINUED ON 5C
SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER
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FROM FARMHOUSE TO HOSPITAL: The story of Forest Lake’s first hospital By Justin Brink Special to the Laker
Before 1948, the health care system in Forest Lake was limited. The first physician, Morrill E. Withrow, arrived in 1897 but stayed only a year before taking an assistant position at Stillwater prison (one must wonder what he thought of our little town to find the prison job more attractive). It wasn't until 1924 that Forest Lake had more than one physician serving the needs of an entire town. By the time arrived in 1932, any patient requiring more than a few stitches still had to be brought down to the cities for treatment. In early 1946, Ruggles was back from his wartime service in the Pacific and had his eye on an old two-story farmhouse just outside town, on the south Dr. George M. Ruggles shore of Forest Lake. This, he knew, would be the site of the future Forest Lake Clinic Hospital. It had just become available after the sudden death of the owner, Charles Beard. After purchasing the home from his widow, Dr. Ruggles got right to work employing an architect to have plans drawn for the remodeling. However, his ambitions soon ran aground due to regulatory issues stemming from his own inexperience with such an undertaking. After considering his options, it was decided that the four-square building would be extended towards the lakeside by an additional 21 feet to accommodate everything the hospital would need. By February of 1948, the addition was completed, and the 16-bed hospital was open for business. When a Registered Nurse with the Minnesota Department of Health met Dr. Ruggles for the initial inspection the following month, she wrote in her notes: "The doctor takes great pride in the results accomplished in completing this building... apparently no expense has been spared." The main floor had two, three-bed wards, with maternity on the upper floor. The kitchen, dining room, and laundry were in the basement. A dumbwaiter delivered meals to the upper floors. A former nurse, Lil Webster, recalled the hospital's day cook: "Marie Pederson was the best cook in the world. Dr. Ruggles always came down to sneak a piece of pie or food because it was so good." One of the evening cooks, Gerda Bates, came from Sweden and would often sing in Swedish as she went about her duties. The songs carried up
Photos by Paul Dols | Press Publications Photos by Forest Lake Historical Society | Contributed The old hospital building still exists and is now a private residence, located at 107 S. Shore Drive.
through the dumbwaiter and would instill a sense of calm among staff whenever she sang. Between his duties at the hospital and the clinic downtown, Dr. Ruggles would take some muchneeded downtime to go fishing. He lived just a few houses down from the hospital and would take his boat around first lake to fish. If he were ever needed, hospital staff would run down to the lake with a bedsheet or white towel and flag him down to come back. Accidents on Highway 61 were common, and the emergency room was always available. "We had weekends where we had to have an extra person on duty just to stay in the emergency room, as it could be busy from early morning until late at night," Lil Webster recalled. "Everyone that worked here took such pride in what they did. They respected Dr. Ruggles and worked for him the best way they could." The hospital remained in operation until 1962, shortly after District Memorial Hospital opened its doors and Dr. Ruggles became its Chief of Staff. Lil Webster was there when the hospital closed and shared a final memory: "I was the last one there. We had one patient left, a double amputee who had to be kept overnight. By that time, the doors were impossible to lock because they were broken over time and never repaired. I was a nervous wreck. I had just come from upstairs when a flashlight came on, and I just about had a stroke. It turned out to be two local policemen, Teddy Preisler and Franklin Peterson, who had just stopped by to check on me."
◼ Justin Brink is the president of the Forest Lake Historical Society.
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VETERANS MEMORIAL The longtime vision for the Veterans Memorial continues to come to fruition. Next up will be the installation of a two-sided bronze centerpiece in May 2027. One side will feature a soldier saluting, and the other will be the soldier’s spouse holding their daughter. For more information, or to donate, visit www.ci.forest-lake. mn.us/209/Veterans-Memorial.
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WHY IS MY LAKE GREEN? By Angie Hong Special to the Laker
There’s nothing like a summer day at the beach with warm sand, blue skies and… green water? Eww! Blue-green algae are cyanobacteria that thrive in warm, nutrientAngie Hong rich water and quickly multiply when conditions are right. How can you tell the difference between blue-green algae and other green things you might see in your lake? Blue-green algal blooms usually look like pea soup or bright green paint spilled in the water. On occasion, the water could also be clear but with floating blobs that look like poop. In contrast, most Minnesota lakes also have filamentous algae (looks like clumps of green hair) and duckweed (looks like the water is covered in miniature lily pads), neither of which pose a health risk. There is no way to tell if a blue-green algal bloom is toxic just by looking at it. So, if you suspect an algal bloom, stay out of the water and keep your kids and dogs out as well. Dogs can experience vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing and seizures within minutes of swimming in or drinking from water during a bloom. Lakes and rivers are most likely to suffer from algal blooms if there is too much phosphorus in the water. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element that is found in leaves, grass clippings, soil and manure. It is also used as a fertilizer for growing row crops and produce. Prolonged high temps and chloride from road salt can also contribute to these blooms. In Forest Lake, local partners use many strategies to reduce the amount of phosphorus flowing into local lakes and streams. With funding support from the Comfort Lake – Forest Lake
Contributed Pictured from left are blue-green algae, duck weed and water plants.
and Rice Creek Watershed Districts, the City of Forest Lake runs a targeted, enhanced street sweeping program to collect sediment and organic waste that might otherwise end up in the water. Raingardens and stormwater ponds also help to filter phosphorus and other contaminants out of stormwater runoff before it reaches the lakes. As a result, Forest, Clear and Keewahtin Lakes all meet state standards for phosphorus and are less likely to experience algae blooms. In rural regions of Washington and Chisago Counties, the conservation districts are working with local landowners and watershed organizations to repair erosion hot-
spots and gullies along the St. Croix River. They have also leveraged federal soil health funding to help area farmers implement conservation practices such as cover crops and no-till. In addition, private landowners have replaced more than 1300 subsurface sewage treatment systems since 2021. As a result of this collective action, several local lakes have been successfully removed from the state’s impaired waters list and again have healthy phosphorus levels. This includes Bone and Hay (Scandia); Comfort (Wyoming); and North Center, South Center and School Lakes (Center City, Lindstrom). Want to help protect lakes, wetlands
and streams in Forest Lake? There are a few simple actions you can take. Limit your use of lawn fertilizers, especially if you live on the water. You can also consider planting a raingarden with native plants to soak up runoff from your rooftop and driveway. You can learn more at BlueThumb.org. You can also adopt a storm drain at www.adopta-drain.org. ◼ Angie Hong coordinates the East Metro Water Education Program, a local government partnership with 30 members in Chisago, Isanti and Washington Counties - www.mnwcd. org/emwrep. You can contact her at 651796-2210 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org.
SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER
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PRESERVING WATER QUALITY with Blayne Eineichner By Erik Suchy Contributing Writer
Meet Blayne Eineichner, who works for the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) as project coordinator. One of the many important aspects of his job is ensuring the water quality of Forest Lake is safe for the average boater, angler and swimmer. That’s where taking readings with a special piece of equipment known as a Secchi disk comes into play. A Secchi disk is split into black-andwhite quadrants measuring 10 inches in diameter, with its main purpose being to measure water clarity in lakes and other bodies of water. It is usually attached to a pole and lowered below the surface until it disappears from view, at which point the depth is recorded as the “Secchi depth.” “We like to use them because they’re a repeatable metric to use,” said Eineichner. “Anybody can use them; the disks themselves are inexpensive, so we can have both volunteers and staff use them to take measurements on a regular basis. Even if both groups are using them, we can get very similar results.” When it comes to taking readings at Forest Lake, the district typically partners with the Metropolitan Council’s Community-Assisted Monitoring Program, a regional water quality initiative that tests and tracks lake conditions across the Twin Cities. Readings are typically taken twice a month from May to October at three basins on Forest Lake. At each of these basins, volunteers and employees record weather conditions, including wind direction and water temperature, then collect water samples and Secchi disk readings. “We take a sample from about half a meter below the lake surface. We then measure the water temperature and collect two smaller samples to measure
Blayne Eineichner is the project coordinator for the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District. He works not only to measure water quality in Forest Lake but also to preserve it for lake enthusiasts. Photos contributed District Technician Matthew Hendrickson measures water clarity with a Secchi disk.
nitrogen levels and phosphorus concentration. Those are placed in bottles, labeled and put on ice. Then we use another volume of water to filter through a pump system, which collects chlorophyll or algae. That filter gets submitted to the Met Council and they do their analysis based on that and the observational data we give them.” Volunteers also use a special tool called a Van Dorn bottle, which allows the district to measure how much phosphorus is being released from sediments at the bottom of Forest Lake. “It’s like a water bottle on a string with plungers on the sides that keep it open. We lower it to the bottom,
4C THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
then send a weight around the string that hits the plungers’ attachment points, compressing them against the bottom. That water gets sealed up, pulled back to the top and submitted to a lab for analysis.” Eineichner said the overall quality of Forest Lake has improved over the years, thanks to several district-led projects aimed at improving water quality. Many of these projects aim to reduce external nutrient loading to the lake. Others, referred to as alum treatments are specifically focused on the lake’s second basin. These treatments trap nutrients in bottom-water sediments and prevent their release into the water over the summer, when oxygen levels in those sediments
are frequently depleted. Despite these efforts, Eineichner says more work is needed. He hopes to see lakeshore owners join the fight in preserving Forest Lake’s water quality. “We’re hoping to encourage lakeshore owners to create natural buffers around their land and shorelines to stabilize them and prevent erosion. The vegetation helps create better shoreline conditions that reduce erosion and intercept overland flow from their yards, whether from erosion further up on their property or from the fertilizers they use. If they can keep it on land, it’ll prevent excessive algae and plant growth in the lake itself.” To learn more about the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District and the Metropolitan Council’s CommunityAssisted Monitoring Program, visit their websites at www.clflwd.org and www. tinyurl.com/m8uy4ud2, respectively. ◼
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ FISHERY FISHING TEAM | FROM 1C and wanted to learn more about fishing and get some tournament experience,” Wilson said. “I also knew some of the people on the team, so that helped.” “I heard about it from some of my friends’ older brothers,” Smith added. “I really like to fish myself, so I ended up joining and made some pretty good friendships throughout the whole thing.” Throughout the season, the team takes part in more than 30 organized fishing competitions, including two sets of six in-house tournaments (one for junior high anglers, one for high schoolers) where teammates face off against one another for points. High school anglers also try out for the varsity team through three tryouts, then face three North Metro Conference Opens against other schools. Cumulative points ultimately determine who on the team advances to the Minnesota Junior B.A.S.S. Nation High School State Tournament. This year will see several anglers head to state, including seniors Garrett
Before
After
Gilbert and Liam Lofgren, as well as sophomores Chase Krueger and Mason Morales. Krueger took home the biggest bass at this year’s first North Metro Conference Open, with a weight of 5.7 pounds. Both Lofgren and Gilbert previously placed third in the second North Metro Conference Open, while sophomore state qualifiers Aiden McGregor and Alex Cappelletti both placed second in the same tournament. This year’s high school state championship will be held at Leech Lake in Walker on Sept. 12 - 13. Looking ahead, Hansen said he hopes the skills, bonds, and friendships anglers build today will carry into college and beyond. “The friendships they make on this team are people they can call up after they graduate high school or college, and we’re already seeing that happen as they graduate. They come back to speak at seminars and at some of our events. I want to keep that same momentum going because it’s such a cool thing to be a part of.”
Contributed Several high school anglers will be attending this year’s state tournament. Among them are seniors Liam Lofgren (left) and Garrett Gilbert, who placed third in the second North Metro Conference Open
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SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE FOREST LAKE LAKER
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FISHERY ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
MN-FISH: BUILDING A BETTER PATH FOR TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S ANGLERS By Erik Suchy Contributing Writer
For many Minnesotans, fishing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a legacy passed down through generations that requires hard work and dedication to preserve it for the next generation of anglers. That’s where MNFISH comes in. “Our goal is to improve the state of fishing throughout Minnesota for existing anglers and anglers of the future," said MN-FISH Vice President Kevin Kerkvliet. “We also want to be an example for the rest of the country of what can be done to make sure our fisheries are in pristine condition.” The organization currently operates through two entities to accomplish its goals. The first is the MNFISH Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to strengthen fish populations, and maintain shore fishing areas and boat ramps for angler access. They collaborate with both the Department of Natural Resources and industry leaders to protect the state’s fisheries. The second is the MN-FISH Coalition, a 501(c) (4) advocacy group that Kerkvliet says ensures the organization’s voice is heard within state
Photos contributed For several years, MN-FISH has worked to protect lakes and fishing traditions throughout Minnesota. The organization recently received a donation from Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited.
One project under MN-FISH’s belt is an ongoing study that analyzes the lake’s muskie population, including its growth, behavior and survival rates.
government. The group advocates for laws that support outdoor businesses and Minnesota anglers. The group also pushes for infrastructure investments that keep lakes accessible to everyone who wants to use them. The coalition scored several notable wins in 2025, including $6 million and $600,000 in upgrades from the Minnesota Legislature to the Waterville and Crystal Springs hatcheries, respectively. An additional $1.8 million was allocated to improving public water access at Otter Tail Lake. Currently, the coalition is collaborating with the DNR and Bemidji State University on an ongoing study of Leech Lake. During the next two years, the study will examine how muskies grow, survive and behave in the lake, using advanced telemetry to gather data on survival rates. According to the MNFISH website, this data will provide the DNR with crucial information to better manage muskie habitat and stocking programs. One project of particular importance, Kerkvliet said, is an effort to allow Minnesota to accept bait imported from other states. “We’re one of two states in the country that do not allow bait to cross state lines. Spottail shiners, for example, have been very hard to get over the last couple of years
6C THE FOREST LAKE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026
because of environmental conditions and a lack of spawning conditions. We’re working with the state to understand how to get this across so we can start importing bait when necessary.” Other projects aim to improve additional hatcheries and landings. These include improving building conditions at the St. Paul Hatchery and fixing multiple boat landings along Lake Vermilion. Through partnerships with the DNR and various lake associations, MN-FISH is also working to raise awareness of the dangers posed by invasive species in Minnesota lakes. Over the next five years, Kerkvliet said he hopes MN-FISH’s role in the state remains as crucial as it is now, and that the group’s ongoing work will matter even more in the long run. “We’re hoping to get the declining angler population turned around to where we have more people buying fishing licenses. The next step is to ensure these fisheries and hatcheries continue moving forward. We also want to get an educational facility put together where kids in the schools can truly understand how we do things in the state of Minnesota for our fishing industry.” Those who want to learn more about MN-FISH can visit their website at www.mn-fish.com. ◼
◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ PORT OF CALL
LOCAL VOLUNTEER TEAM RETURNS FROM IMPACTFUL
ALASKA MISSION TRIP
A dedicated team of 21 volunteers recently returned from an intensive, week-long mission trip to Alaska. The group traveled to the Last Frontier to participate in diverse community outreach initiatives, construction service projects and local ministry partnerships between Anchorage and Homer. Throughout the trip, the team focused heavily on relationship-based service and meeting immediate community needs. Upon arriving in Anchorage, the volunteers hit the ground running making and distributing “blessing bags” — bags filled with essential items such as food and hygiene products — to the local unhoused community in the downtown area. Moving onward to the coastal community of Homer, the team partnered with Regent Life Church, serving different members of the church in various ways. Their service projects included extensive physical labor — such as painting, groundskeeping and structural renovations — as well as
Contributed Twenty-one volunteers with Thirst Missions recently traveled to Alaska for a variety of projects.
weeding flower fields at a local peony homestead farm. The team was also able to serve at Freedom House in Soldotna, a safe transitional housing program for those recovering from addiction. The group prepared a meal and enjoyed a night of worship and fellowship with the residents. In addition to their rigorous ministry schedule, the group experienced the natural beauty and recreation
that Alaska offers. The team spent a dedicated day salmon fishing in the waters near Soldotna, explored the scenic Homer Spit and hiked to the base Byron Glacier and Virgin Creek Falls before their departure. Group leader, Neil Fletcher, has led nearly a dozen of these trips over the years. The experience was made possible by Thirst Missions, a ministry specializing
in high-quality, high-impact mission trips that connect teams with real needs. Based directly out of Forest Lake, Thirst Missions handles every logistical detail —from lodging and transportation to ministry partnerships — allowing teams to focus entirely on building relationships and serving others in the name of Christ. To learn more about Thirst Missions, visit https://thirstmissions.org/. ◼
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