2018 Meeting Minutes
Lake Independence Citizens Association
Making Waves Towards a Cleaner Lake
LICA Update
Get the lead out!
Protect our wildlife by switching to non-lead tackle
Most fishing tackle currently available is made of lead. Lead is a toxic metal that is lethal for loons, trumpeter swans, bald eagles and other wildlife. Loons are poisoned when they inadvertently swallow lead jigs and sinkers while scooping up pebbles to help grind their food. About 20% of the dead loons turned in by private citizens died from lead poisoning.
Loons can frequently be seen on Lake Independence
CREDIT: Barb Zadeh
A bird with lead poisoning will have physical and behavioral changes, including loss of balance, gasping, tremors, and impaired ability to fly. The weakened bird is more vulnerable to predators, or it may have trouble feeding, mating, nesting, and caring for its young. It becomes emaciated and often dies within two to three weeks after eating the lead.
The MN Pollution Control Agency has a new public awareness campaign called “Get the Lead Out” focusing on encouraging Minnesota anglers to switch to non-lead tackle. After a seven-year study proving that Minnesota loons winter in the Gulf of Mexico, the state was awarded $1.2 million from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement. The MN Pollution Control Agency is using the money to fund the lead-free educational program, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, see
Lead-free tackle from various manufacturers
CREDIT: PCA.stat.mn.us
LICA fishermen can help by switching to lead-free sinkers and jigs, telling your friends about the problem, and encouraging your favorite bait and tackle shop to carry lead-free products. The MN Pollution Control Agency has a list of tackle manufacturers using non-toxic metals:
(Lead is classified as hazardous waste. When you’re ready to make the switch, collect all of your old lead tackle and take it to Hennepin County’s hazardous waste disposal site in Brooklyn Park.)
Welcome to Lake Independence
Lake Independence is a beautiful recreational lake in Western Hennepin County, Minnesota. The lake is 844 acres in size and about 58 feet at its deepest.
Adorning its shores are 104 residential properties, Three Rivers Parks Baker Park Reserve, Vinland Center, and YMCA Camp Iduhapi. The lake has 5.8 miles of shoreline and two islands on the northwest side of the lake.
Water Level Chart Here
Need help getting your dock in?
Here are a couple of dock and lift services used by LICA members:
Ryan Skinner & Shane Davis
763-245-7509 612-849-6338
Tim - Tonka Lifts
To schedule, go to:
Crepeaudocks.com/schedule-service
2021 Calendar of Events
Due to uncertainty caused by Covid, all events are tentatively scheduled. More information will be provided closer to the dates.
WINTER
Ice Clean-up Day
Sunday, March 7
SPRING
Annual Members Meeting
Saturday, May 8
1:00 P.M.
Camp Iduhapi Outdoor Pavilion
(masks required)
SUMMER
AIS Monitoring
June date TBD
4th of July Flotilla
Sunday, July 4
1:00 P.M.
Assemble north of Baker Park Boat Launch
AIS Monitoring
August date TBD
FALL
Octoberfest Picnic
Saturday, October 9
Baker Park Pavilion
Facebook links
LICA
https://www.facebook.com/lica.org
INDEPENDENCE FISHING
https://www.facebook.com/IndependenceFishing