Cormorants on Strom Island

As you may have noticed, over the past few years, Wonder Lake has experienced a large increase in the population of Double-Crested Cormorants. The presence of these birds in large numbers is believed to have an impact on fish populations. Equally as important is that Cormorants prefer to roost and build nests on islands. Over time, the “droppings” from the roosting Cormorants can build up to the point where they can kill off the trees they roost in.
Lake Status

EcoMapper scans lakebed

As part of the on-going efforts to complete the final design of the lake restoration project for Wonder Lake, the Wonder Lake MPOA has contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct an "EcoMapper" survey of the lake.
Lake Status

Shoreline, Streambank Stabilization Permits

Shoreline / streambank stabilization problems are usually caused by an excessive amount of wave or ice action, frequent water level fluctuations, or energy being diverted from adjacent streambank / shoreline areas with more robust stabilization practices in place. Landowners often have to take action to correct these problems.
Lake Status

Think Twice When Fertilizing your Lawn

Everyone lives in a watershed whether you live close to a body of water or not. A watershed is the surrounding land that drains into a lake, stream, or river. It includes drainage systems such as ditches and storm sewers, which means you have a direct effect on water quality.
Lake Status

MPOA Fishing Regulations

Wonder Lake, and the Nippersink Creek stream channel downstream (east) of the Thompson Road Bridge, are owned by the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association (MPOA). Fishing is only allowed in these areas for those landowners holding deeded lake rights to Wonder Lake, or their guests, who must be accompanied by someone holding deeded lake rights. Fishing in these areas is governed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), as summarized below, with IDNR fishing licenses required for anyone 16 years of age or older.

About the MPOA

Lake Levels

Wonder Lake was designed with a “run-of-the river” dam spillway, where all flow leaving the lake cascades over a concrete spillway with a fixed (non-adjustable) weir. This weir elevation is fixed at 803.0 feet above sea-level.
Lake Status

The Fight Against Invasive Species

The Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association is reminding boaters, anglers, and water skiers to remove, drain, and dry after a day on the water to prevent the spread of invasive species. These Be a Hero—Transport Zero™ steps can now be found at 14 boat ramps around the Illinois private lake.
Lake Status

Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

The Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge is a newly established United States national wildlife refuge that will include noncontiguous properties, especially tallgrass prairie patches, wetland properties, and oak savanna parcels, located in the northwestern region of the Chicago metropolitan area and the southern part of the Milwaukee area.
Lake Status
Subscribe to