Warm Winter Means Big Action On Big Muskego

The lack of 'good ice' for fishing and increased lake depths over the winter has meant a great spring season for those looking to cast a line on the waters of Big Muskego Lake.

Greg Burmeister, deputy commissioner for the lake district, said the drier than normal summer and concerns over the on the lake last year have been righted in a big way.

"Water levels are back up to normal, and during recent rain events have raised them even further, to about four to six inches above the dam," he told the Muskego Common Council last Tuesday. Overall the lake level is up two feet from last year's depth, which is welcome news for boaters and lake residents who were prevented from using them last year. The to allow vegetation in the large bogs to naturally 'anchor' to the lake bottom.

"The lake is in very great shape; the mild winter has really given the lake habitat a break," he said. "The open water throughout the winter months has kept the oxygen levels up and it's also meant there's been no over-fishing."

Burmeister explained that several ice fishing jamborees normally held on the lake were kept on land. The result is that the fish have had that much more time to grow. He expected northern pike, bass and walleye to be "pretty healthy in size" come the opening of fishing season in May.

The down side has been the proliferation of the less desirable weed population, namely the invasive milfoil, which can form a thick 'canopy' on the water's surface and interfere with the growth of more beneficial plants.

Tom Zagar, Conservation Coordinator with the city, also reported that the osprey nest tower has been equipped with the camera that allows residents to view activity of the birds. In previous years, the pair of osprey that have used the nest haven't proved to be great parents, but the eventual hope is that they will produce offspring successfully this year. Along with osprey, Zagar said the on the lake.

View the osprey cam on Big Muskego Lake.