Donate and Join The Lime Lake Association $ Donate THANK YOU! Membership Matters Join at any level - it's easy! Your annual tax deductible contribution directly supports our mission of preserving and protecting the environmental purity and beauty of Lime Lake. $50 - Member $100 - Sustainer $250 - Benefactor $500 - Partner Optional - In Honor / In Memory Of Help Us Make a Difference! Our biggest expense is science. We conduct ongoing research to prevent invasive species and monitor water quality; we offer educational resources and free greenbelt consultations; and we strive to set an example of stewardship that will safeguard the lake we love. ​ We ask all riparians to consider a minimum annual donation of $250. This is just $20 per month and allows us to maintain current programs, increase outreach, and be ready should an invasive species like Eurasian Watermilfoil become detected. Larger lakes in the area, where the invasive has taken hold, spend up to $100,000 per year on this problem alone. ​ Thank you for your support and stewardship. If you would prefer, please send a check made out to the Lime Lake Association and mail to: The Lime Lake Assocation P.O. Box 50, Maple City, MI 49664

Maintain Your Septic System Maintain a Natural Shoreline Buffer Eliminate Fertilizers and Pesticides Nothing that Doesn't Belong Become a Michigan Shoreland Steward Learn More About Lake Ecology Good Harbor Bay Watershed Protection Plan The Leelanau Conservancy, in partnership with both the Lime Lake and Little Traverse Lake Associations along with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Leelanau Conservation District developed a Good Harbor Bay Watershed Protection Plan in 2015. Good Harbor Bay’s watershed includes Lime Lake (Kasson and Cleveland townships); Little Traverse Lake (Cleveland Township); School, Bass and Shell Lakes (Cleveland and Glen Arbor townships); and the area that flows directly into the Good Harbor Bay . Good Harbor Watershed Plan Purpose The prevention of water pollution and water quality degradation. The conservation of natural shore land areas. Conservation of watershed hydrology by managing storm-water to protect the natural hydrology regimen, especially as it relates to the quantity of runoff versus infiltration and groundwater recharge. Protection against the negative impacts of nutrient loading, erosion, and storm-water runoff. Maintain Your Septic System Septic tanks and fields should be inspected every one to three 3 years. High water levels will compromise lower lying tanks and fields. There should be a minimum of four feet below drain fields to the top of the water table. If not working properly septic systems can leach nutrients and sewage into the lake. LEARN MORE Maintain a Natural Shoreline Buffer The primary purpose of a buffer (greenbelt) at the shoreline is to protect the property from erosion. Erosion may result in loss of shoreline property and increased sediment in the water – leading to poor water quality. Native plants have the added benefit of being easy to maintain and they support a variety of wildlife including turtles, fish, birds and pollinators. LEARN MORE Eliminate Fertilizers and Pesticides Pump lake water into your irrigation system to irrigate and “fertilize” your lawn and landscape plants instead of applying chemicals. The lake water will naturally contain nitrogen and phosphates for your plants and lawn. If you are still considering using fertilizers, "find out more" first. LEARN MORE Safeguarding Lake Health: Responsible Choices and Practices Please remember to never let soaps, cleaners, or any type of chemicals drain into the lake. When filling gas tanks, exercise caution to prevent accidental spills. Refrain from raking leaves directly into the water, as they introduce nutrients that can adversely impact water quality. Join us in our commitment to preserving the natural splendor of our waters. Become a Michigan Shoreland Steward The Michigan Shoreland Stewards Program provides recognition for lakefront property owners who are protecting inland lakes through best management practices on their property. These individuals exemplify responsible land management practices that minimize runoff, erosion, and pollution, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of our lakes. LEARN MORE Learn More About Lake Ecology We invite you to discover "Introduction to Lakes" an online course offered by MSU extension that is designed for concerned citizens, decision makers, local leaders, and lakefront property owners interested in gaining knowledge about inland lakes. Explore water quality, aquatic organisms, and environmental factors. Visit the official course page for more information. LEARN MORE

View More Association Lime Lake PRESERVE PROTECT EDUCATE Leelanau County, Michigan Heart Search JOIN/GET INVOLVED/DONATE Lime Lake Rentals Fisher's Lakeside Cottages Fisher’s Lakeside Cottages offers 5 modern housekeeping cottages on the west shore of Lime Lake. https://www.fisherscottages.com For Booking Call: (231) 228-6201

Get Hooked on Clean Boating Help reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species by undertaking these easy clean boating practices Boating enthusiasts and fishermen play a significant role in the introduction of aquatic invasive species in Michigan. Take responsibility for preventing their spread by ensuring you clean, drain, dry, and dispose of any potential contaminants every time you exit the water. LEARN MORE Inspection points on boats, trailers, and vehicles for aquatic invasive species decontamination. Stop Aquatic Invasive Species Clean your boats, trailers, and equipment thoroughly, removing mud, debris, and aquatic plants before launching or retrieving a watercraft. If possible, use a hose or power washer. Drain all water from live wells, bilges, ballast tanks, and boats before leaving the access site. Consider disinfecting live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water) when you can. It's essential to remove fish diseases and microscopic invasive species, even if the water looks clean. Dry your boats and equipment completely before leaving an access area or before launching in a different waterbody. Dispose of bait in the trash, never release it into the water. Releasing bait and minnows can accidentally introduce diseases and invasive species. Avoid transferring fish to water bodies other than where they were caught. This prevents the spread of fish diseases and invasive species. Invasive species you’ll help reduce by using clean boating practices: Quagga mussels Eurasian Water Milfoil Purple Loosestrife Round Goby Eurasian Ruffe Rusty Crayfish Spiny Water Flea Fishhook Water Flea Sea Lamprey

Lime Lake Merchandise Every purchase from our merch page directly supports the Lime Lake Association's mission of lake stewardship, helping to safeguard our pristine lake environment. If you haven't already, please consider making a membership donation with your purchase to further support our cause." Adult Embroidered Lime Lake Cap Price $20.00 Add to Cart Lime Lake Wine Glasses 2 for $20 Price $20.00 Add to Cart Pink Lime Lake V-Neck Cotton Tee Price $20.00 Add to Cart Adult Lime Lake Zip-up Hoodie Price $50.00 Add to Cart Black Lime Lake Michigan T-Shirt, Youth & Adult sizes Price $15.00 Add to Cart Khaki Crew Neck Lime Lake T-Shirt Price $20.00 Add to Cart Youth Zip Up Hoodie Price $40.00 Add to Cart Decorative Lime Lake Ceramic Price $50.00 Add to Cart Membership Price $50.00 Add to Cart Sustainer Price $100.00 Add to Cart Benefactor Price $250.00 Add to Cart Partner Price $500.00 Add to Cart

Lime Lake Association Survey Check Your Top Three Concerns for Lime Lake: Boating Awareness Decline in Fish Population Drinking Water Lake Water Level Overall Water Quality Presence of Aquatic Invasive Species Shoreline Erosion Septic System Runoff Swimmers Itch Wildlife Preservation Other: What are the three most important roles of your Lake Association? Advocacy regarding watershed development Advocacy with local agencies and planning commissions Connecting residents Controlling invasive species Improving water quality Improve fishery Improve lake safety Other: If you fish, how would you rate the quality of fishing this last year compared to five years ago? One being fishing was poor last year compared to five years ago. Five being great compared to five years ago. 1 2 3 4 5 If you fish, what fish are you seeing / not seeing compared to five years ago? Are you concerned about swimmer's itch on Lime Lake? Yes No Do you feel the Lake Association has adequately communicated ways to address swimmer's itch? Yes No Are you aware that the Lime Lake Association provides a free shoreline assessment and a $250 rebate to assist with improvements? Yes No What are your barriers to using shoreline improvement practices? My shoreline is already lake friendly! Don't have the time Too expensive Not sure how to design Don't know what plants to use Don't see the benefit Other: What would motivate you to install additional shoreline improvement practices? Better fishing habitat Habitat for birds and wildlife Improving water quality Increasing natural beauty Less mowing time Not interested in additional shoreline improvement Are you aware that the Lime Lake Association: (check all that apply) Has a website Holds an Annual Meeting the last Saturday of July Look for invasive species Monitors for water quality Suggests having a 15-foot natural buffer at the shoreline (per research literature on lake best practices) Are you aware that in order to prevent invasive species introduction to Lime Lake, you should clean any item used in another lake with hot water and dry it for 5 days before using on Lime Lake, along with emptying any bilges in boats? Yes No Any additional comments for the Lime Lake Association Board? Email (optional) Send Feedback Thank You!

Pat's Preserve Pat’s Preserve is on the south end of Lime Lake and protects 26 acres of land and over 1000 feet of lake shore. It is home to a meandering stream that conveys the largest source of surface water to Lime Lake, as well as a sensitive wetland that acts like a giant sponge, stemming erosion, trapping pollution, and slowly releasing clean water back into the lake. Land Safeguarded The first 5.9-acre parcel of the new Preserve, which was most at risk of being developed, was quickly purchased in May of 2020, thanks to our incredible supporters. The former owner had wanted to build a vehicle bridge over the stream, and install utility lines underneath it. That would have involved excavating 59 cubic yards of earth in a 400-foot long gash—threatening fragile stream bank habitat in the process. The owner had also applied to truck in nearly 500 yards of dirt to fill the wetland, and construct a road. ​ Sanctuary The preserve is a haven for wildlife. Giant white pines, a rich conifer swamp and diverse wetland habitat nurture a plethora of wildlife and plants on this special land. Songbirds, red-shouldered hawks and eagles live in the forest. In the spring-fed stream, brook trout spawn and thrive. Snakes and toads, ducks and otter are also frequently spotted here. Gratitude The Lime Lake Association understands the importance of protecting these wetlands. An outpouring of support from people around the lake and from the Leelanau Community helped preserve this unique ecosystem. Funding for the Leelanau Conservancy’s purchase of some of the Pat’s Preserve acreage was made possible by many generous supporters of the conservancy, especially Ron Lovasz and his late wife, Pat, for whom the preserve is named. ​

Shoreline Preservation Create a Greenbelt Schedule Greenbelt Consultation Education - Not Enforcement Tips for Your Shoreline Rate Your Shore Shoreline Preservation Shorelines are Critical Transition Areas from Land to Water A natural shoreline protects the lake and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. However, intense shoreli ne development, the proliferation of turf lawns, and an increase in waves from boat activity create erosion problems and allow fertilizers and pesticides to enter the water. You can restore your shoreline to a more natural state which will support wildlife habitat and prevent run-off. Create a Greenbelt A greenbelt is a natural shoreline of diverse and native vegetation including trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers that grow naturally or are planted. The most important benefits of greenbelts are erosion control and pollution filtering. By keeping sediments and excess nutrients from washing into the water, greenbelts keep the water clear and cool. An added benefit is deterring geese who prefer well-manicured lawns with unrestricted access to the water. ​ Recent surveys, revealed a concerning deficiency in natural shorelines and greenbelts surrounding Lime Lake. The good news is that this is within our control. Schedule Your Free Lake On-Site Consultations To encourage establishing and enhancing greenbelts on the lake, the LLA is supporting on-site consultations by our Lake Biologist, Kelsey Froelich. During the half-hour consultation, you will gain a deeper understanding of the natural process and science that a natural shoreline plays in the health of the lake ecosystem. Site specific opportunities will be discussed so you can create a greenbelt plan for your shore. Free Greenbelt Consultation Registration Next Education - Not Enforcement Greenbelt consultations are focused on providing an understanding of the natural processes and their effect on lake health. In other words, education. We are giving riparians the information to make the changes they deem appropriate to improve lake health while providing space for water accessibility and recreation. The decisions are left to the property owner - and the LLA has no interest in ‘enforcement’! Tips for Your Shoreline Maintain a greenbelt - a 20 to 35’ natural buffer along 70% of your shoreline to help provide filtration to trap pollutants, prevent overgrowth of aquatic plants and algae, reduce erosion and discourage geese. Use native plants - shrubs, trees and grasses to stabilize shorelines which provides habitat for wildlife (more). Plant native trees to help offset storm damage and replace die-off of diseased ash, birch, beech and oaks. Use a mulching mower, compost leaves and yard trimmings at least 100 ft from surface water. Excess leaves in the lakes and creeks degrades water quality. Rate Your Shore The Michigan Shoreland Stewardship Program has created an online survey for you to ‘rate your shoreland’. In the process, you will receive customized advice on how to make improvements to your property and its management. The Survey asks questions related to management practices in each of the four zones of your shoreland property: Upland, Buffer, Shoreline and Lake. You will need the basic dimensions of your property and you should plan for approximately 30 minutes to complete the form. Please select the Lime Lake Association when taking the survey; this will help us track participation rates. The survey can be taken anonymously, but we encourage you to register. By registering, your data will be saved so you can return to the survey as you make changes on your property. Thank you for being a good steward of Lime Lake. RATE YOUR SHORE

Lime Lake Geology Lime Lake is a 670-acre lake with a maximum depth of 65 feet, and extensive shoal areas with depths less than 15 feet. Substrate is predominately sand and marl, with some areas of cobble and gravel present. Vegetation is sparse, though there is some emergent vegetation near the shoreline and some small submerged weed beds in water from 5 to 20 feet deep. Environment The land in the Lime Lake watershed is characterized by a variety of soil types including Kalkaska series sands along the west and south sides of the lake, Leelanau-East Lake loamy sands along the east side of the lake, Eastport sands between Lime Lake and Little Traverse Lake, and Lupton-Markey muck soils along Lime Creek and Shetland Creek. Natural Connections: Lime Lake's Waterways and Migratory Fish Access Lime Lake is fed by several hillside seeps, springs, and small creeks, with the largest being Lime Creek which flows in at the southern end of the lake. Shetland Creek flows out of the north end of Lime Lake and into Little Traverse Lake, and from there Shalda Creek flows out of Little Traverse Lake and into Good Harbor Bay on Lake Michigan. Migratory fish from Lake Michigan have access to Lime Lake through this connection in years of high water or when there are no natural obstructions (beaver dams). Hiking Trails The Leelanau Conservancy actively manages two preserves on Lime Lake. Teichner Preserve is a 41-acre parcel of property located on the northeast shore of Lime Lake. This property includes 200-feet of lake frontage, uniquely forested lowland, and extensive wetlands. The property is open to the public for guided tours and hiking. Pat's Preserve protects 1,000 feet of lake shoreline and 26 acres of land including sensitive wetlands important to the preservation of the long-term water quality of Lime Lake. Pat's Preserve is a critical wildlife corridor and its wetlands support a broad diversity of species. Responsible Fishing Lime Lake is a Type C designated trout lake that is open to trout fishing for the entire year. All tackle types may be used and the lake has a possession limit of five trout per day, with no more than three trout 15" or greater. The lake is accessible via a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) public boat launch located on the southwestern shore of the lake. Management Direction Any remaining riparian wetlands adjacent to Lime Lake and its tributaries should be protected as they are critical to the continued health of the watershed. Future riparian development and wetland loss may result in deterioration of the water quality and aquatic habitat. Appropriate watershed management is necessary to sustain healthy biological communities, including fish, amphibians, and birds. Generally for lakes this includes maintenance of good water quality, preservation of natural shorelines; and preservation of bottom contours, vegetation, and woody structure within the lake. Conservation Measures Guidelines for protecting fisheries habitat in inland lakes can be found in Fisheries Division Special Report 38 (O'Neal and Soulliere 2006). Additionally, dredging of the littoral zone should be avoided if possible on Lime Lake, particularly where gravel and cobble substrates are located. Most of the nearshore properties that are developed on Lime Lake have gravel and cobble substrates present. This nearshore habitat is critical for a number of important Lime Lake fish species, as gravel and cobble substrates provide spawning habitat and also host many important aquatic invertebrates that help to sustain healthy fish populations.

Pledge to Protect the Lime Lake, Good Harbor Bay Watershed I Pledge the following . . . . . On Shore (Riparians Only) Start a greenbelt on my shoreline or maintain existing one Stop mowing my lawn seven feet from the water’s edge to start a greenbelt Use lake or creek water irrigation (vs. well water irrigation) Contact the Lime Lake Association for advice when considering alterations near my shoreline Refrain from feeding waterfowl to protect the water from harmful E-coli bacteria Rake and remove leaves and grass clippings to keep them out of the water On Land Use only eco-friendly soaps and detergents Use only hazardous waste collection sites to dispose of harmful items Use only eco-friendly pesticides Properly store any fertilizers Invasive Species Prevention Clean, Drain & Dry watercraft before/after use to stop the introduction & spread of aquatic invasive species Dispose of bait, plants, aquatic animals and fish from aquariums & ponds in the garbage, never in the lake Septic System, Holding Tank, Well Have my septic system inspected regularly (every 3-5 yrs.) & pumped when indicated Avoid using bleach and commercial products that claim to ‘maintain’ my tank/ septic system Avoid use of garbage disposal Watercraft and Recreation Be mindful of your wake near shore to reduce erosion and excessive sedimentation in the lake Avoid use of soaps & shampoos in the lake or creek Inspect boats for fuel/oil leaks In Yard (Property Owners Only) Preserve wetlands on your property Construct driveways Keep storm drains free of anything except runoff PIant a tree and/or incorporate native plants on my property or lakeshore Pledge I (we) hereby pledge to protect the Lime Lake/Good Harbor Bay Watershed and implement the checked items above. Privacy Please Keep My Pledge Anonymous Submit Pledge Thank You!