Mason-Lake Conservation District

10/27/2026

Congratulations to Zach Peklo on winning the Rita Beard Visionary Leadership Award from NAISMA! We’re proud of Zach’s hard work and dedication to the North Country CISMA and to protecting our region from invasive species. Well deserved!

10/26/2026

There’s still time to make your voice heard!

This is the last week to complete the Lake County Master Plan and Recreation Plan surveys. Share your input by the end of October to help shape the county’s future.

10/24/2026

What do you do with your pumpkins after Halloween?

Don’t toss them! Make a fun day out of it instead. Calvin Lutz Farms in Kaleva is hosting a pumpkin smash on Sunday, Nov 1, 1-4pm. Smash your pumpkins, reduce waste, and enjoy a fun-filled day with the whole family.

Bring your own pumpkins for free, or pick one up there at a discounted price. The cornmaze will be open, and the shop will have fresh produce, donuts and c***r while supplies last.

Some Good News and Bad News! Bad News is we will be Closed on Halloween 10/31. The Good News we are doing something New this year! A one day pumpkin smash event on Sunday Nov 1st 1-4pm

Bring your own pumpkins to smash and if that’s not enough we will have extras available at a discounted price!

There will be one person allowed per station and all kids must have adult supervision.

The cornmaze will be open but there will not be wagon rides available. The Apple Sling shots will also be open!

The shop will be open with fresh produce and donuts and c***r while supplies last.

10/23/2026

Fishing the Muskegon River this fall? Keep an eye out for tagged whitefish.

Between Croton Dam and Lake Michigan, you may see lake whitefish carrying small acoustic tags, plus receiver stations anchored in the river. They’re part of a study to find out whether rivers like the Muskegon could be new spawning habitat for lake whitefish, a species that has declined sharply in lakes Michigan and Huron.

If you catch a tagged fish, please release it alive if you can. If you keep one, report it to the DNR. Please don’t move any receiver stations.

Read the full story from the Michigan DNR at the link.

You may want to add the contacts from the article in the comments: Scott Heintzelman at the DNR (231-433-9782) or Matt Herbert at The Nature Conservancy (517-316-2283).

Angler assistance needed for Muskegon River whitefish study Michigan Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 10/20/2026 12:02 PM EDT Share or view as webpage | Update preferences DNR News Oct. 20, 2026Contact: Sandra Svoboda (TNC), 313-574-0645, Christina VanDoornik (LRBOI), 231-398-21...

10/22/2026

Looking for fall fun this weekend?

Orchard Market, Inc. is wrapping up its season with u-pick pumpkins, wagon rides, a corn maze, and apple cannons. It’s their final weekend, so grab the family and make some sweet fall memories!

10/17/2026

Fall color is putting on a show across Michigan, and the trails are the best seats in the house. 🍁

Whether you walk, bike, ride horseback, take an off-road vehicle, or paddle a kayak, there are thousands of miles of trails to choose from. The DNR has a map to help you find a fall trail trip that fits how you like to get outdoors.

Find your trip below!

Use our map to find new locations for Michigan trail adventures.

10/16/2026

Free timber tax workshop in Manistee

Bought or sold timber in the past 3 years, or planning to harvest? Learn how timber income is taxed and ways to keep more of it. Presented by Susan Metcalfe of Metcalfe Forestry Co. & Burns Timber Tax Service.

∙ Saturday, November 7, 1:00–3:00 PM
∙ West Shore Community College, Downtown Manistee

Registration is required and space is limited. Details and sign-up below

This 2-hour workshop, presented by Susan Metcalfe of Metcalfe Forestry Co. & Burns Timber Tax Service, is designed for forest land owners, foresters, loggers and tax preparers. If you have bought or sold timber within the past 3 years, or plan to harvest timber, then this is a must-attend event. The...

10/15/2026

While our crew of technicians specializes in invasive species control, they are equipped to handle all sorts of conservation needs.

Last Friday they were installing silt fence to prevent erosion at the Pere Marquette Conservation Park boat launch. This fence is being installed to keep sediment from eroding into the water as we prepare for a shoreline planting in the spring.

10/13/2026

The Lake County Planning Commission is updating the county’s Master Plan and seeks public input to help guide Lake County’s future. A facilitated public meeting will be held October 13 at 5:30 PM at Webber Township Hall, 2286 W. Springtime St., Baldwin, MI 49304.

The public may attend in person or online using the information below. Those unable to attend are encouraged to take the Community Input Survey, which will be available at lakecountymi.gov throughout the month of October. Questions regarding the meeting or survey may be directed to [email protected].

Online Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83778132649pwd=W5LXbj8W2ynXBGxws9xHiGGnDLVAWU.1
Meeting ID: 837 7813 2649
Passcode: 338635

Special Note: A similar public meeting will be scheduled this fall to focus solely on recreation in Lake County.

9:00 am: Lake County Finance Meeting 9:00 am – 10:00 amAugust Lake County- FINANCE- Meeting Every 2nd Wednesday of the month 9am-10am Read more

10/09/2026

Passing this along for our bee-friendly followers: West Shore Beekeepers are putting on a honey event next weekend, Saturday Oct 17th in Ludington.