Welcome to the website for the Kirby Lake Management District (KLMD).  The website was authorized by the Board as it was recognized that more and better information could be easily disseminated to property owners in this method.  This website is not intended to replace the previous methods of communication for essential messages like meeting notices.

Kirby lake is in Maple Plain Township which is in the northwest corner of Barron County, WI.  The water level is influenced mostly by run-off from the the woods  and cabin properties surrounding the lake so the water level will vary with the amount of rain and snow fall.   The lake has approximately 100 acres of surface and a depth of less than 20 feet.  It is regarded as a vegetated lake, which limits some of the species of fish it can support and provides benefits in that the vegetation helps keep the water clear of algae and makes it difficult for invasive plants to establish themselves. It does not make Kirby Lake immune from other invasives of animal, in nature.   

In  recent years there is increased concern about over-fishing as the size of the average panfish caught is declining.  Do your part to inprove the fishery by excercizing catch and release practices for all species and leaving the Northern Pike, which are beneficial as they eat the smaller fish, thereby the larger panfish survive and provide a better quality fishing experience.


The management of the District is by a volunteer board of Commissioners.  Some of the functions provided  by the KLMD are water quality and invasives monitoring, winter aeration, boat and dock launching and retrieving,  weed cutting from open water to docks and some social events.  Check out the list of volunteer opportunities elsewherre in this website  and be sure to volunteer for a few! 

JANUARY 2024

With this update we are  adding the 2024 Annual Newsletter.

Due to the warm weather up to the week of January14th. the barrier around the open water created by the aeration system was not installed until Saturday, January 20th.  Those that particpated were: Ralf Schmidt-Dannert, John Schultz, Oliver Crane, Joel Meyer and Gloria Meyer.   See a picture of the cheery crew, below, except for Gloria.

 

 Important info from previous updates

In the the "Lake Information" tab you will find information about the Aquatic Plant Management Plan.  It is critical to have in order for the District to do projects that impact the lake.  In that tab you will find:

1.  A link to the 2021 Aquatic Plant Management Plan .

2.  A link to the Endangered Resource Services  suvey of Kirby Lake 

3.  A link to commentary about the survey in # 2 by our consultant, David Blumer Lake Education and Planning Services.  (LEAPS)

4.  A link to the DNR's website page about Kirby Lake containing maps, depth charts, water quality surveys and other information                  that  may be of interest.

5.  A link to instructions on how to build a floating platform for Loons to use to build a nest on with a protective cover.

Additinally, there are updated Agendas, Minutes, etc.  In the Picture Albume there are Kirby Lake scenes by Ralf Schmidt-Dannert and others..

Joel Meyer

KLMD Board Chair

joelmeyerbiz@outlook.com

         ITEMS OF NOTE:  

  1.  CATCH AND RELEASE SIGNAGE - A sign has been installed that should  grab the attention of water severyone                               approaching the landing.  It will encourage catch and release practices for fisher persons, encourage the  releasing of Northern Pike, stress no power loading and using Clean Boat - Clean Water protocols.
  2. FACEBOOK  - Kris Rubenzer, Steve and Judee's son, created a Facebook page for Kirby Lake.  It is private, for Kirby Lake property owners only and is being administered by Steve ( RubeyCool@aol.com,  case sensitive, the "e" is not a typo)   Thank Kris and Steve for this.
  3. CLEAN WATER - CLEAN BOAT PROGRAM - The DNR has awarded our Clean Boat - Clean Water program grant application for many summers. This provides for covering most of the cost of hiring personnel to monitor our landing for invasives, with the difference being covered by a budgeted item in our Lake District finances and volunteer time. 
  4. OPEN WATER RETRIEVAL LADDER;  The orange ladder looking item hanging on the lake side of the green aerator pumphouse is for retreiving someone that has broken through or other wise fallen into the water created by the aeration system.  Be sure to use it as it spreads the weight of someone, has a rope ladder to help someone climb onto it and a tether rope on the other end for rescuers to use to pull a person away from the water.  It has been used twice to retrieve dogs from the water.                    
  5.  NO ANCHOR  BUOYS -  Pay attention to the buoys as dragging an anchor between the buoys  themselves and from the buoys to the green aerator pumphouse can pull the lines apart and move the aerators  out of position.  STAY AWAY FROM THEM!

Barrier Installation, january 20, 2024.  John Schultz, Ralf Schmidt-Dannert, Oliver   Crane and Joel Meyer.  Not shown was Gloria Meyer  

                             Open water retrieval ladder.

Actually stored on the lake side of the aerator pumphouse.