Clitherall Lake Association
Our Mission:
We are the custodians of Clitherall Lake.
We pledge to all who love this special place that
We will protect,
We will enhance the quality of our lake water,
Its environs and its fishery;
We will preserve the quality of our life here
for all generations yet to come,
forevermore.
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Latest News updated 4/17/26
The Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations has published their Position Statement on Enhanced Wake Activities
Ice is out on many Minnesota lakes, and it won’t be long until we are back on the water. But, unfortunately the angst about enhanced wake activity (surfing) will continue to be a very hot topic on Minnesota Lakes.
Last summer, we were anxiously waiting for the University of Minnesota--St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to complete their Phase 2 work on enhanced wake activity. That amazing work was released in the fall regarding the impacts of wake surfing on the lake bed. With the new insights from the Phase 2 research in hand, MN COLA was able to put together a statement of our position that includes key elements including appropriate distances from shore and the depth of water required for this fun family recreation to be done safely.
We are very pleased to communicate our MN COLA Position Statement on Enhanced Wake Activities. In a nutshell, we support regulations for enhanced wake activities to occur:
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At a minimum depth of 20 feet to minimize subsurface ecological impact, combined with
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A minimum distance from shore of 500 feet; however, at least 575 feet from shore is recommended to reduce the wave energy impact on shorelines to a level like non-enhanced wake watercraft.
And while Minnesota does not seem to be ready to address state-wide regulation of enhanced wake activity, we are pleased that the DNR included some basic information on best practices in the new required Watercraft Operator's Permit.
For more information on this subject, including videos from the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, go to https://mncola.org/wake-surfing/
MN COLA also held their Membership meeting on March 17.
On this page are three very informative videos from the March meeting on the topics of the 2026 Legislative session, starry stonewort treatment, and the value of AIS funding.
MN COLA has made it easier to find their full library of Membership meeting videos on their mncola.org website. Look for "Resources" and then "Video Presentations".
The April newsletter from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center is now available here:
Coffee Mug Photo Contest Update
Thanks to all who have sent us pictures for the 2026 coffee mugs!
The judges are now tackling the difficult task of choosing 2 from the 36 pictures submitted.
Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Newsletter:
The February 2026 edition of Water Connects Us All is now online.
News from 2025
The minutes of the September Board of Directors meeting and Treasurer's Report are now available on the Meetings page.
Fish Stocking!
On October 2, 2025, The Clitherall Lake Association (by way of Klug's Fish Farm) stocked 800 pounds of walleye fingerlings into Clitherall Lake. This equals approximately 20,000 fish, stocked at 2 different locations on the lake.
Thank you! to all Clitherall Lake Association members for your generous donations to our fish stocking program. It would not be possible without your financial support!
See the Fish Stocking page for more information about stocking done in previous years.
MPR reporter Kirsti Mahron aired a three part series on MPR Morning Edition exploring how suburban style development of Minnesota's lakeshore is impacting water quality and wildlife. The series also looks at solutions and actions shoreline owners can take to reverse these disturbing trends. Lake associations are a big part of the solution.
To launch this great series, MPR News Host Angela Davis had an hour long call in interview with MLR Executive Director, Jeff Forester and Lake Steward Committee Co-Chair for Gull Chain of Lakes Association Dorothy Whitmer about being a Lake Steward.
"According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, we’ve lost about half of the state’s natural shorelines. And researchers say natural shoreline continues to disappear at an alarming rate.
When we lose natural lakeshore, it affects the lakes we love. Mowed shorelines allow seven to nine times more pollutants to enter the lake than one with native plants."
MPR News Host Angela Davis and her guests explore what we can do to prevent shoreline erosion, improve water quality and create more habitat for wildlife.
Listen to the interview, Protecting Minnesota's vanishing natural shorelines
You can also read about and listen to MPR's entire 3 part series
Trouble by the water: Minnesota's vanishing natural lakeshores
Want to Learn How You Can Protect Your Shore?
Order the Shoreland Guide to Lake Stewardship Here
Long-time Clitherall Lake property owner and CLA member Jeff Stabnow was recently awarded a "Lake Steward" sign from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates for his shoreline restoration work.
The Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates Lake Steward Program provides the resources necessary to educate lakeshore homeowners on environmental sustainability through proper shoreline maintenance, and facilitates shoreline restoration projects with materials personalized for each region.
For more information on this program, go to their website.
