University of Wisconsin–Madison

Tag: Madison

Fish Fry Day Video: Ice Fishing in Madison, Wisconsin

Andrew Stevens is a graduate student working on a master’s degree both with Pete McIntyre in Freshwater and Marine Sciences as well as the Water Resources Management Program here at UW-Madison. He’s also an avid ice angler and handy with a camera. We asked for a Fish Fry Day special – and Andy delivered. Enjoy! …

Algae Blooms in Fall Mean Lake Mendota Is Mixed Up

Originally Published October, 2014 – Earlier this month, anyone down on the shores of Madison’s lakes may have noticed the water tinged the green hue of an algae bloom, something we normally associate with the warmer summer months. But a final fall bloom isn’t all that unusual – It just means that the lakes are, literally, …

Clear-Water Phase: Are We Missing Lake Mendota’s Window?

Over the last two weeks, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, and Lake Kegonsa have all entered into their annual rite of spring’s clear-water phase. Lake Mendota, however, remains a murky mystery. Why are the downstream Yahara lakes so clear, when the lake at the top of the chain isn’t? Perhaps more important, are we going to …

Save the Date! Hasler Lab 2014 Open House

Modern limnology in North America was born right here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today, scientists from across Wisconsin, the nation. and the globe are doing world-class freshwater research right on the shore of Lake Mendota – exploring issues like invasive species, sport fish dynamics and algae blooms. On Friday, June 20th, from 2pm to …

Spring Has Sprung in Wisconsin’s Waters

It’s official! Not even highs in the low 40’s and a couple of overnight snow showers could stop it – spring has arrived in Madison. According to the Wisconsin state climatologist, Lyle Anderson (sorry, John Young!), Lake Mendota was free of ice on April 12th, right on the heels of the thaw of other Madison …

Past Post: Early “Spring Cleaning” for Lake Mendota

Obviously Lake Mendota is still frozen over here in the Spring of 2014. But, two years ago, Madison lakes had officially opened up (i.e. thawed) on March 10th and, by early April, we were writing what proved to be one of the most popular posts in CFL blog history. Since we’ve been dreaming of spring …

Thickest Lake Ice in Decades May Last Into Spring

Ted Bier, our senior research specialist for the Long-Term Ecological Research program, was recently photographed on Lake Monona holding this massive chunk of ice in front of the Madison skyline. That picture led to the following story on The Capital Times website: How thick is the ice on Madison’s lakes? Researcher Ted Bier almost didn’t …

Muckraking Mendota: Let’s Just Be Friends

UW undergrad, Emily Hilts, spent her summer getting to know Lake Mendota. While she didn’t fall head over heels for Madison’s lakes, she’s leaving on good terms. by Emily Hilts This morning, I moved my books and papers out of the desk I used at the Center for Limnology all summer, and took some time …

Muckraking Mendota: Mouthing Off (with Fish)

Last fall, as I moved in to a new house, I asked my parents (who are regular patrons of rummage sales) to look for a taxidermied fish. When they scrounged up a musky, with its mouth wide open to reveal pointy teeth, I was ecstatic. My roommates were less enthusiastic – one even claimed to …

Muckraking Mendota: What Do We Mean By “Clean?”

by Emily Hilts When I worked at Trout Lake Station, I usually went running after a day in the field and then jumped in the lake – not only to cool off but to get clean. After all, Trout Lake is gorgeously clear, and the stink of the day washed right off. Showers were reserved for …