Welcome to Potter Lake

The Board of Commissioners of the Potter's Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District welcomes you to your home on Potter Lake. The District was created in 1976 to improve the condition of Potter Lake. We have made a great deal of progress in the last 25 years, but there is still much to do. All riparian (lakefront) owners on Potter Lake are part of the District, as are residents of the Mirimar Subdivision, which owns three properties on Potter Lake.

Highlights of the District’s activities

• A weed harvester, conveyor and truck were purchased in 1976.
• Sanitary sewers were first installed in the District in 1977 and completed in 1981.
• The weed harvester was replaced in 1984.
• A second conveyor was purchased in 1986.
• A “Carp Out” event was held in 1987, and every year through 1995, to help raise funds for the construction of a storage building.
• A depth staff, used to measure the lake level, was installed in 1992.
• The truck was replaced in 1992.
• Also in 1992, the District received a five-year Lake Management Planning Grant for a water quality study.
• The storage building was constructed in 1993. It is located on Highway L, near the Public Launch.
• In 1994, the District held its first-ever Fourth of July “Boat Parade.” This annual event was expanded to include a “Lighting of the Lake,” with homeowners lighting flares along their shoreline, just after sunset.
• The parking lot for the Public launch was paved in 1995.
• Two new conveyers were purchased in 1995 as well.
• In 1996, the weed harvester was completely serviced and a new cutting head was installed.
• With no “Carp Out” in 1996, the District looked for a new fundraiser. A raffle was held late in the year, and three lucky winners received a pair of Packers tickets.
• In 1997, the District sought and received DNR approval to use Sonar, a selective aquatic herbicide, to control the Eurasian watermilfoil in the lake and to promote the growth of native aquatic plants. The treatment was applied in October of that year. We continue to monitor results but every indication is a complete success -- the milfoil is reduced, the native plants are returning, and the fish population is increasing in number and size.
• To prevent the reseeding of the milfoil plant, the District installed slow/no-wake buoys in several sensitive areas of the lake. State law requires that boats stay 200 feet or more from all shoreline areas, piers, and navigational markers.

Other District Information

• An Annual Meeting of the District is held in late August or early September of each year. In addition, meetings of the District are held whenever there are special issues to consider, or events to plan. There is also a Spring meeting every year.
• As with all inland lakes, the DNR requires that boats be properly registered, that all necessary safety equipment is on board, and that the boat be operated in a safe and lawful manner. DNR requires that a wearable personal flotation device be on board for each passenger, regardless of the type or size of boat. We recommend that all boaters take an approved boating safety class.
• All piers should have your house number displayed - “W1085,” for instance.
• If you have reason to use the Public Launch, be certain to obey all of the posted parking restrictions.
• Parking on Highway L is not permitted.
• Boat travel is counterclockwise on weekends and holidays.
• Water skiing is from 8:00 a.m. to sunset on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. No doubles on weekends or holidays.
• As a courtesy to those who cross country ski, skate, and snowshoe, we ask that snowmobilers drive 200 or more feet toward the center of the lake before operating parallel to the shoreline.
• Potter's Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District Bylaws