Minong Flowage Association
WDNR Approved Our Milfoil Fight Permit
Breaking News Alert | May 8, 2026
After months of planning, research, and advocacy — and numerous setbacks along the way — it's official.
On May 7, 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources notified the MFA that it had issued a Chemical Aquatic Plant Control Permit authorizing treatment of up to 40 acres of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) on the Minong Flowage. This is the permit we have been working toward — through two consecutive years of grant denials, a lengthy regulatory review process, and the hard work of MFA members, volunteers, and advisors who refused to give up on this lake.
This is a landmark moment for our lake — but it is only the beginning.
What the Permit Authorizes
The MFA will work with our longtime aquatic applicator, Northern Aquatic Services, to plan and conduct the treatment. Key details from the permit:
| Herbicide |
ProcellaCOR (florpyrauxifen-benzyl) |
| Treatment area |
Up to 40 acres of EWM beds |
| Earliest treatment date |
June 15, 2026 (to protect spawning) |
| Permit expires |
December 30, 2026 |
| Applicator |
Northern Aquatic Services, Dresser, WI |
Advanced notice of the treatment date will be provided to all members and riparian owners before any application takes place, as required by the permit. View the full permit application →
Why ProcellaCOR — and Why It Matters
This will be the first use of ProcellaCOR on the Minong Flowage. ProcellaCOR is a next-generation aquatic herbicide specifically effective against EWM and other invasive milfoil species, while being far less harmful to native aquatic plants and wild rice than older herbicides.
Used successfully on dozens of Wisconsin lakes, it offers the most targeted and sustainable tool currently available for EWM management — which is exactly why our science advisors and the DNR supported its use on the Flowage.
One Treatment Is Not Enough
EWM management is not a one-and-done effort. The Minong Flowage has an estimated 253 acres of EWM across 37 identified beds — this first treatment targets our most critical areas. Sustained success will require:
- Follow-up herbicide applications in subsequent years
- Ongoing hand-harvesting and mechanical removal
- Consistent monitoring and early detection of regrowth
- Volunteer time, community engagement, and continued fundraising
The MFA board is committed to a long-term, multi-year EWM mitigation program. This permit is the critical first step — now we must follow through.
The Save the Flowage Campaign Still Needs You
CAMPAIGN PROGRESS
$59,450 raised toward our $200,000 goal — every dollar funds the treatment and future milfoil management.
We have the permit. We have the applicator. What we still need is the full funding to execute this treatment and sustain a multi-year program. If you have not yet contributed to the Save the Flowage campaign, now is the moment — and if you have, please share this news with your neighbors, your renters, and anyone who loves this lake.
Donor Recognition
Flowage Guardian ($1,000+) and Flowage Steward ($500+) donors will be recognized on permanent signage donors can put up on their Flowage shoreline. Your name on the lake — forever.
Not yet a member? Join the MFA and be part of the effort to protect this lake for future generations.
Annual Membership Meeting
Friday, June 13, 2026 | Wascott Town Hall
Join us to hear the latest on the herbicide treatment, the Save the Flowage campaign, and the MFA's plans for the Flowage. All members and interested neighbors welcome.
Register for the Annual Meeting
What Happens Next
Over the coming weeks, the MFA and Northern Aquatic Services will finalize the treatment plan, confirm the timeline, and issue the required advance notifications. No treatment will occur before June 15. We will send a dedicated notice with the specific treatment date at least four business days in advance, as required by the permit.
Questions? Contact us at minongflowage@gmail.com or visit our website for updates.
Minong Flowage Association
Protecting the Flowage for generations to come.
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