Protecting and Preserving
With more than 500 members and 50 volunteers, the Lake Leelanau Lake Association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality and beauty of Lake Leelanau and its surrounding watershed for current and future generations.
Lake Leelanau and its 89,000-acre watershed are treasured for more than their magnificent vistas, pristine waters, thriving natural habitat, and delightful recreation. For many people, they represent a unique sanctuary from a troubled world and unforgettable memories of friends and family, past and future.
Since 1980, the volunteers and members who comprise the Lake Leelanau Lake Association have contributed their time, talents, and financial resources to protect and preserve this priceless heritage for current and future generations.
Our protection and preservation activities include water quality, lakeshore protection, boating safety, fishing, and swimmer’s itch. Currently, our single biggest expense and our primary focus is controlling the existential threat posed to the lake by aquatic weeds, specifically Eurasian Watermilfoil, the most invasive aquatic weed in North America.
If you’re already a member or a volunteer, we thank you for your generous contributions. If you’re not, we invite you to explore our website, sign up for our monthly ebulletin or to become a volunteer on the Contact Us page, or become a member on our Join/Donate page.
Boat Wash Stations
Clean, Drain, Dry
Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
CLEAN off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from all equipment.
DRAIN motor, bilge, livewell, and other water containing devices.
DRY everything for at least five days OR wipe with a towel before reuse.
For ANGLERS:
DISPOSE of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash.
It's the law:
launch or transport watercraft or trailers unless they are free of aquatic organisms, including plants.
transport a watercraft without removing all drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and livewells.
DO NOT
release bait into the water.
Violation of the law is a state civil infraction. Violators may be subject to fines.
Four complimentary boat cleaning stations are available at the following locations:
DNR Narrows Boat Launch: 136 S. Lake Leelanau Drive, Lake Leelanau
DNR West Boat Launch: 4491 S. Lake Shore Drive, Cedar
DNR Bingham Boat Launch: 7822 E. Bingham Road, Traverse City
Suelzer Park Boat Launch: 4343 N. Lake Leelanau Drive, Lake Leelanau
Think you have found an aquatic invasive species in Lake Leelanau?
Latest News
Diverse Habitat, Diverse Fishery
Lake Leelanau is special for many reasons, but did you know that part of what makes it special is the diversity of its fishery? Due to the previous separation of […]
Zoning Matters
Local government has an important role to play in protecting the watershed of Lake Leelanau. Ideally, zoning ordinances should specifically address land use issues that can have a negative impact […]
Shoreline Woody Structures
To nurture ecological health, our shorelines need submerged trunks, limbs, branches, roots, and wood fragments within shallow waters. With the exception of state forest and preserved lands, relatively few natural, […]
Impervious Surfaces
You may have heard the term “impervious surfaces” in some of our other articles, but what are they exactly? This week’s blog article explains impervious surfaces, how they impact water […]
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