Ohio Lake Management Society

12/20/2025

An excellent reminder from our neighbors to the north! ❄❄🧂🧂

Even in winter, what we do on driveways and parking lots shows up in our lakes. MSU Extension’s “Salt runoff can impair lakes” article notes that when snow and ice melt, road salt does not disappear. It washes into ditches, streams, and lakes, where chloride can slowly build up over time.

A little salt goes a long way. The article suggests shoveling or scraping first, using only a small amount of deicer, skipping salt when pavement temperatures are below about 15°F, and sweeping up extra grains once things dry out. Those simple habits keep roads and sidewalks safer while also helping inland lakes stay fresher.

You can read the full MSU Extension piece here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/salt_runoff_can_impair_lakes

12/05/2025

Happy International Volunteer Day! 🎉

Today, we celebrate our amazing lake monitoring volunteers. These passionate individuals collect crucial data to help lake managers make informed decisions. Their efforts ensure cleaner lakes, benefiting wildlife and providing enjoyment for all.

Join us in applauding their commitment and hard work, inspiring us to protect our natural resources for future generations! 🙌

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Check out the link in our bio!!

11/24/2025

🎉 Congratulations to all our OLMS Award winners from this past year! Thank you for all that you do to help protect Ohio Lakes!

💧Innovation in Lake Management: Theresa Sutter (Richland County SWCD
💧Distinguished Service/ Lifetime Achievement: John M. Wilson Jr. (AQUA DOC Lake & Pond Management, Inc.)
💧Presidents’ Award: Mark Warman (Ohio Sea Grant)

10/26/2025

🎃🍂It's a spooky time of year and our local lakes are undergoing some seasonal changes of their own. 🎃🍂

Strong winds and cooler temperatures help many of our deeper lakes "turn over" this time of year. Summer heat can cause lakes to thermally stratify with cooler water trapped near the bottom, unable to mix with the surface layer. During long stretches under these conditions, oxygen levels in the hypolimnion can drop extremely low. When the epilimnion (top) and hypolimnion (bottom) converge in temperatures, all water in the lake from top to bottom will mix. When a large volume of oxygen-depleted water mixes rapidly in a lake, it can be a scary time for fish! 💀💀

10/10/2025

Another celebration-worthy milestone for Ohio's largest lake! 🌊

The Cuyahoga River joins the Maumee and Sandusky River in efforts to reestablish self-sustaining populations of state endangered Lake Sturgeon in their ancestral breeding grounds. Behind every great lake is a healthy watershed!

08/23/2025

Did you know our lakekeepers monitor Ohio lakes all season long? From checking water clarity to tracking algae and nutrients, our lake monitoring program helps us keep on eye on the health of the water we all swim, fish, and play in.

Clean water = healthy lakes = more fun on the water for everyone! 🚤🐟☀️

Want to be a Lakekeeper? Check out our link in our bio! 😎

07/31/2025

As Lake Appreciation Month wraps up, let’s keep our lakes healthy and beautiful with a few simple, responsible habits:

Clean, Drain, Dry… for all vessels! 🚤🛶🏄‍♀️
Whether you’re in a motorboat, kayak, or paddleboard, always clean, drain, and dry your gear to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasives. A quick step that makes a big impact!

Fish Responsibly 🎣
Barbless hooks make catch-and-release easier and safer for fish, ensuring they swim away unharmed and populations stay healthy.

Leave No Trace… Clean Up After Yourself 🗑️
Always pack out your trash, and if you see someone else’s, pick it up! Keeping the lakes clean benefits everyone, including the wildlife.

Respect Wildlife and Their Habitats 🦆
Give wildlife their space and avoid disturbing their habitats. Simple respect helps maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

Let’s keep our lakes clean and healthy for future generations! 💧✨

07/22/2025

Join us for Lake Appreciation Day!

Come celebrate with hands-on fun for all ages, including:
⚡️ Fish electroshocking demos, and other fun water quality activities!

📍 Charles Mill Lake
July 26th, 10:00am - 2:00pm

07/09/2025

What’s your favorite way to enjoy the water?

From kayaking at sunrise to tubing with friends, Ohio lakes are made for memory making!

Drop your favorite lake activity below!
Bonus points for photos 📸💙

07/01/2025

It's finally here!!!! 🌊National Lakes Appreciation Month!🌊

We’re celebrating all month long with fun ways to get out, explore, and enjoy your local lakes! 🛶☀️🎣

Check back often for events, tips, and lake-loving activities — you won’t want to miss what we have planned! 💙

06/16/2025

Water, water everywhere, but how much plastic leachate do you want to drink? A group of bright, young scientists at Bowling Green State University is conducting important research to help protect Ohio's greatest freshwater resource.

Lake Erie is one of Ohio’s greatest natural resources, and Bowling Green State University is working to protect it. scientists are studying how tiny pre-production plastics—called nurdles—can leach harmful chemicals when they end up in water systems.

“By identifying the sources of leachates or microplastics themselves, we can start to discuss actual actions we can take as individuals to mitigate our exposure and protect our Great Lake,” said Dr. Chris Ward of BGSU Biological Sciences leading the research team. Read more: https://bit.ly/4mpQLYe