February 2, 2009
Indiana Lakes Conference 2009 Builds Partnerships with Fisheries Professionals

The 2009 Indiana Lakes Management Conference opened with a new twist—a joint meeting of the minds between the Indiana Lakes Management Society and the Indiana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. This joint effort was the first endeavor to build camaraderie between the groups’ members allowing both societies to gain valuable information and share insight into Indiana’s many lake management issues. The aquatic resources conference was held January 29-31 at the Sheraton City Centre in downtown Indianapolis and not even record snowfall in Indianapolis could keep attendees away.

The program opened with a plenary session focused on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). Five presentations detailed the complexity of the NFHAP including an overview of the planning process in light of the importance of habitat and fisheries conservation; a review of the two phases in which Indiana is participating—the Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership and the Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership; and a discussion and review of the variety of fish habitats available throughout the United States and thus the variety of data required to assess these habitats. Thursday’s program concluded with separate business meetings for each society and an exhibitor reception.

During ILMS’ business meeting, out-going president Ron Bedwell described ILMS’ efforts during the past year including numerous workshops, the joint conference, and the launching of ILMS’ marina outreach program. The gavel was passed to new officers with Ed Spanopoulos elected as the new president and Sara Peel elected as the new vice-president. With their previous positions open, Eileen Boekestein was appoint secretary, while Carrie Pintar was appointed as the new treasurer. Congratulations to elected board members: Angela Sturdevant, Nate Long, Heather Buck, Laura Esman, Jed Pearson, and Ed Sprague!

Concurrent sessions occurred throughout Friday with a total of 40 presenters covering a variety of fisheries and water quality related topics. The fisheries technical session focused on fish species diversity, naturalization, and hybridization within both lake and stream communities. Additionally, the impacts of glaciation, low oxygen concentrations, and hydrologic alternations on fish communities throughout Indiana were also discussed. The technical session concluded with two presentations about work occurring at Lake Maxinkuckee where the use of an underwater autonomous vehicle are allowing researchers to better understand this complex lake community.

Concurrent with these topics were presentations focused on resources available for individual lake and watershed management, watershed and shoreline management practices, and lessons learned from the 2008 flooding events. Morning presentations by Katie Hodgdon from the Natural Resources Education Center, Bob McCormick from Planning with POWER, Eileen Boekestein with Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams, and Lyn Crighton from the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation provided attendees with practical information which they could use with their lake and watershed. This session included information on raising money, the importance of planning, the availability of information and resources, and a look at the future of invasive species.

The afternoon sessions covered on-the-ground implementation efforts like Indiana Wildlife Federations’ Backyard Certification Program, conservation practices with which the NRCS can assist individuals and groups, shoreline protection efforts from the DNR, and looks at two specific ongoing efforts to reduce shoreline impacts to specific lakes. Bill Schmidt presented information on the phosphorus free fertilizer ban effort that continues to evolve at Clear Lake in Steuben County, while Jarka Popovicova described shoreline development and planning efforts at a Prairie Creek Reservoir near Muncie.

The final two sessions of the day included a look at water quality monitoring and assessment tools and a review of aquatic plant management efforts throughout the state. The water quality monitoring session included a look at two projects focused on quantifying available water quality data though the Indiana Water Monitoring Inventory and an approach to developing indicators for water quality change. Additionally, members of the Upper White River Watershed Alliance provided a glimpse into their efforts to improve water quality within central Indiana. Hydrilla management at Lake Manitou and a look at the LARE aquatic plant management planning process through its first five years of work were both detailed during the aquatic plant management session.

Hands on learning through workshops was the focus of Saturday’s program. In total, four workshops occurred on Saturday morning: two focused on shoreline plant and fish identification and two focused on water quality management and goal setting. All four workshops provided attendees with detailed information usable with their association or management efforts.

In total, 187 individuals attended this three-day conference. Their attendance could not have occurred without the generous support of our 21 exhibitors and 14 conference sponsors. We look forward to inviting all of you to our 2010 conference where we will be back to our normal scheduling, as the conference will occur in northern Indiana in late March.

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