News
Find out what's happening in and around Buffalo Lake.
Have something to add? Send news to chair@buffalolakedistrict.org
Latest Newsletter: January 2026.
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Hello Buffalo Lake District Members,
Thank you for your continued support and involvement with the Buffalo Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District. Below are several important updates and upcoming items to be aware of.
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Welcome New Board Member
Please join us in welcoming Sean Larscheidt as our newest Lake District Board member. We appreciate Sean stepping up to serve and support the continued rehabilitation and protection of Buffalo Lake.
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Fish Stocking Update
We are planning to complete fish stocking in May. Once we have the confirmed stocking date from our supplier, we will send an additional notice out to members.
Volunteers will be needed, and we greatly appreciate anyone willing to help that day. More details will be shared as soon as the stocking date is confirmed.
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Fish Stocking Donations
If anyone would like to donate toward fish stocking, please send a check to:
Buffalo Lake District
PO Box 82
Buffalo Lake, WI 53919
Please write “Fish Stocking” in the memo line.
We also want to extend a sincere thank you — over the last two years, more than $24,000 has been donated by generous businesses and individuals to support fish stocking efforts.
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Weed Harvesting Update
We want to sincerely thank Bob Foley for his years of service and dedication to Buffalo Lake. His time, effort, and commitment have made a real difference for the lake and the community.
As we plan for the upcoming season, the District is currently seeking a Harvesting Crew Supervisor.
If you are interested—or know someone who may be a good fit—please contact me directly.
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Lake Level Study / DNR Public Hearing – February 23, 2026
A public hearing is scheduled regarding the lake level order:
Monday, February 23, 2026
3:00 PM
Marquette County Services Building
The Department has made a tentative determination that it will amend the water level order to reflect the requested summer water level dates of May 1 through October 15.
We encourage members who are interested to attend and stay engaged in this process.
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Thank you again for your support of Buffalo Lake and the Lake District’s efforts to protect and improve the lake for everyone.
Sincerely,
Dustin Esselman
Chair, Buffalo Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
chair@buffalolakedistrict.org
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This was emailed out to all whom have signed up to our mailings on 1/26/2026 - this can also be viewed here: https://mailchi.mp/d589028fc366/january2026newsletter
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DNR Water Testing Results - 2025
At our recent lake board meeting we had special guests with us from DNR - they gave a presentation over the water testing that took place over the past year.
You can find the presentation here: BUFFALO LAKE FINDINGS - 2025
PHOSPHORUS IN BUFFALO LAKE -Sept 2024
Written by Karyn Niin Kitigade
I am happy to see that so many people are interested in learning about the Buffalo Lake District Water Quality Committee and want to know what they can do to improve Buffalo Lake.
One of the major concerns is the level of phosphorous in Buffalo Lake. Here's something I wrote up that will explains how you can help lower the phosphorous level.
Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.
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PHOSPHORUS IN BUFFALO LAKE
The Buffalo Lake Districts Water Quality Committee is testing the phosphorus level at 2 spots on the Fox River-Buffalo Lake and in 5 creeks the feed Buffalo Lake. They have received the results of the first water test they did.
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Why do we want to know the phosphorus level?
1) Phosphorus feeds and encourages the growth of lake weeds and we spend a lot of time and money attempting to control the weeds.
2) High phosphorus levels and decaying plants contribute to low dissolved oxygen levels and fish kills, as we just experienced.
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"Total phosphorus is the one nutrient that Wisconsin has a state standard for. The criterion for total phosphorus is 0.075 mg/L in streams and 0.1 mg/L in large rivers. " *
Our testing showed a phosphorus level of 0.243 mg/l at County Rd O and 0.460 mg/l at Hwy22 in Montello.
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The phosphorus level was above the state standard before the water entered Buffalo Lake and then it almost doubled by the time it reached the dam.
Are you alarmed? I hope so.
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Some of that increase is due to the phosphorus level of the streams feeding Buffalo Lake and but some of the responsibility falls on us property owners and what we are doing in our yards.
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How can you help lower the phosphorus level of Buffalo Lake, reduce the amount of lake weeds and muck, and increase the dissolved oxygen so that we don't have another fish kill?
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1) Stop using fertilizer to make your lawn grow. When it rains the fertilizer runs off into the lake, and makes the lake weeds grow.
2) Don't mow to your shoreline. A buffer strip of taller grass will slow the pollutants from yards and driveways so that they don't enter the lake. It will also help keep the geese out of your yard.
3) Plant a shoreline native plant garden to create a natural and beautiful buffer zone. You can get grant money from the state to do this.
5) Do not allow grass clippings to drop into the lake or rake leaves into the lake. Organic matter such as leaves and grass, fuel phosphorus levels.
We will be working with the DNR and the county to find ways to reduce the phosphorus levels in the creeks that flow into Buffalo Lake.
Let's work together. Let's make a difference.
Let's bring about a positive change for Buffalo Lake and our community.
If you have any questions about these suggested practices or the testing we are doing, email Karyn@BuffaloLakeDistrict.org
Karyn
*The information about Wisconsin phosphorous levels was found here - https://wateractionvolunteers.org/nutrient-monitoring-on-wisconsins-waters-what-does-it -all-mean