May 22: Kanoe the Kazoo on Gull Lake

2021  Kanoe the Kazoo   Excursion on Gull LakeGull Lake Island, pre-registration required.   When:  Saturday May 22, 2021 Information and float details  9:00am – 9:30am.   Launch onto the Lake at 9:30am,  float for about 1.5 hours with destination of the new dam structure at the south end of the channel exiting Gull Lake. Where: Gull Lake (south end),  launch from the private parking area to the Gull Lake island.   Parking is limited, and registration is required with the Kanoe the Kazoo coordinating web site: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14UP-MCt8-xowW9AGlpdpQi4htMjAuW4tkduu1T8hDTs/edit Float up participation by riparians of Gull Lake…continue reading →

Gull Lake Ice Cover History [Updated]

Gull Lake has one of the longest ice cover records in our region, dating back to the 1920s. The duration of ice cover varies but on average has shortened by about 20 days, which is consistent with records for a number of lakes across the world. Ice cover in this lake system has been monitored by local citizens including Fred Sherriff Sr., Fred Sherriff Jr., and Betty Johnson, assisted since 1998 by Stephen Hamilton of MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station. [Updated February, 2021] Dr. Steve Hamilton has sent the GLQO an updated ice days…continue reading →

Calling All Winter Anglers . . .

CALLING ALL WINTER 2018-2019 ANGLERS:  As winter approaches, the DNR and the GLQO are working together to gather valuable information from ice fishermen this season.  To that end, I’ve attached a Volunteer Fisheries Survey Form, which we are hopeful will be completed by all of you, even if you come up empty handed!  The information gathered will help to (a) identify if any smelt are being caught, (b) determine if the steelhead are beginning to recruit to the fishery, and (c) gather information on lake trout and northern pike size and harvest. continue reading →

2019 CLMP Reports Are Available Here

For a decade, GLQO volunteers have been monitoring Gull Lake and Little Long Lake.  Each spring, within two weeks of “ice out” until early in September, they head out in the boat to gather data that helps determine the quality of the lakes.  They measure the following: * Transparency which is a simple indicator of lake quality * Total Phosphorus to determine available nutrients * Chlorophyll a to determine the algae level which indicates food availability * Dissolved Oxygen an essential ingredient to support fish and vegetation * Temperature Read the reports here:…continue reading →

Support the Mission of the Gull Lake Dam Association

At the GLQO Annual Welcome to Summer Party, we heard from Jeff Price, board member at large of the Gull Lake Dam Association. He imparted some extremely valuable information...especially that the current dam has outlived its expected useful lifetime. Please take time to learn more about this critical infrastructure that has served Gull Lake residents and visitors since 1880. Read more: Gull Lake Association Presentationcontinue reading →

July 2017 Water Quality Update: Gull Lake

By Mike Gallagher, Water Quality Chair Clarity      15 feet Surface Temp   77.36 Temp at 100 feet  48.56 Thermocline    30-35 feet Dissolved Oxygen at Surface    8.49 mg/l Dissolved Oxygen at Bottom    4.36 mg/l Max Dissolved Oxygen is 10.88 mg/l at 40 feet The clarity for this time of the summer is normal for Gull Lake.  The lake always gets less clear at the end of July.  We could see down to 26' two weeks ago but only 15' today. The thermocline is the depth where the temp of the…continue reading →
Swimmer’s Itch and How to Avoid It

Swimmer’s Itch and How to Avoid It

Fortunately, there seem to be few reported cases of swimmer's itch in Gull Lake these days, but I remember well when our sons were little how they would occasionally get it when swimming at the pagoda at the Biological Station. Swimmers itch is a problem in many Michigan lakes in the summer and it is definitely painful (but not dangerous). As the picture to the right shows, swimmer's itch appears as a series of red welts that itch like mosquito bites. Often the welts appear in a line near the waistband or straps…continue reading →