“If we make [water quality] part of the public debate, then legislatures will take leadership on it,” Malott says.

Many think Wisconsin legislators are the keys to improving water quality, as funding is what is really needed to make a noticeable difference.

“With the right leadership, we can move forward,” Smith urges.

Wisconsin has a long history of being a leader in environmental issues. Some suggest, however, this title is weakening.

Shaili Pfeiffer of the Wisconsin DNR attributes much of the innovative water quantity legislation to Wisconsin’s leadership role, including the compact. But water quality issues are different. She says although Wisconsin is not lagging behind, the state certainly is not taking charge, and she worries the direction of legislation has been too industrial-driven.

Legislators have failed to update many regulations in the past few years, Pfeiffer says. Malott attributes this is to anti-environmental groups, which she says have gained a strong hold on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Malott also worries Wisconsin will follow Michigan in “taking down environmental laws right and left.”

Despite these roadblocks, Wisconsin lakes are getting cleaner. The Clean Water Act provides strict regulation of Wisconsin’s waterways, and Malott says Wisconsin takes its implementation seriously.

The DNR has also pushed to strictly control point sources of pollution, like factories, and has begun to focus on the challenge of nonpoint sources such as agricultural runoff.

Wisconsin citizens are taking action as well. Nine hundred sixty-two volunteers monitored water quality at more than 846 stations across Wisconsin in 2007, according to the DNR. According to a recent public survey done in 2007 by the Sea Grant Institute, there has been a 95 percent increase in public awareness of water quality issues.

Travis Richardson, a professional fishing guide for over 15 years, has seen less of the invasive weed species Eurasian Water Milfoil and more native species springing up in the lakes of southern Wisconsin – a sign the lakes are getting healthier.

Although Wisconsin’s lakes still need legislation to improve their water quality, Dellinger and Richardson continue to spend most of their days out on the lakes. They see no new problems and attribute that to the DNR and other agencies’ efforts and regulation. Although they are unable to fish wild bait, fishing will always be great, they say.

“These lakes are real gems, I mean they really are,” Richardson reflects before heading out for the day. Dellinger wholeheartedly but quietly echoes him, “They really are.”

1 | 2