Patrolling the Pond, Lotawana Days Edition
By Mike Miller, Board Member, Vice President, Lake Lotawana Association
Traditions are part of lake life. Traditions help us create lasting memories and feelings of nostalgia. Who could forget this past Independence Day at the Lake? Spectacular weather, a little rain, music on the water, fun with family and friends, and a fireworks show that was fabulous! The volunteers who give tireless hours to make the traditions of Lake Lotawana possible should all be thanked by those of us who participate. Their time and energy are gifts for our personal joy, family connection, and overall well-being. We will celebrate one the most infamous traditions of Lake Lotawana on Saturday, July 26th, Lake Lotawana Day. Of course the festivities start with the boat parade, an extravagant adventure into the deeper (or not so deep) themes of event which this year is Viva Lota Vegas. I’m sure there will be no shortage of Elvis imitators and/or Lake Rat Packs tagging along with some of the boat floats. The number of games of chance and gaming apparatus present on pontoons might rival the number storied to be on the lake in the 1940s and 50s. All in good fun and again, all for the purposes of carrying on one of the long-time traditions of our wonderful lake community: Lotawana Day.
In my experience, Lotawana Day is likely the second busiest day on the lake. All the more reason to reacquaint yourself and your guests with the rules that keep us all safe. While it seems like reminders of the lake rules are always a part of this article, I can tell you that recent observations of traffic on the Independence Day weekend suggest that reminders in both frequency and via several channels work! Most of the people I spoke with after the 4th weekend said that, even with the Holiday Rules in place each day of the weekend, everyone did a great job in following the specific times allocated for tubing, skiing, sailing, riding PWCs, and other activity. Oh sure there were those who had too many on a tube or were riding PWCs in an unsafe way but for the most part the rules worked. In fact, one long-time resident of the lake commented that by 6ish pm each day, the water was fairly quiet and peaceful. Well done everyone! And while I cannot prove this through any study or evidence, I do believe that being consistent with the Holiday rules on EACH DAY of the weekend helps everyone remember what to do and when to do it. The new graphic put together by our awesome staff at the Association also was just about as easy as a reference as you could get. My vote will be to always keep the Holiday rules in place for the entire weekend for any holiday weekend. If you really want to take your grandkids on the tube, any other weekday or weekend will have to suffice…and it will be much safer than on a holiday weekend.
Of course another part of our traditions at the Lake is supporting our local businesses. We have several that have been around a while and provide food, drink, and other products and services. There are a few new ones as well. Big Daddy’s LotaBait is a new store on the corner of Colbern Road and Gate 2. You can get live bait, worms, and fishing lures at the store along with several other convenience items for your pantry and/or vegetable drawer. My son, an avid angler, thinks they have a nice selection of locally manufactured lures, jigs, and trailers that work well on the Pond. The owners, Bobby and Amy McKinzie are friendly and helpful and excited to serve Lake Lotawana and other surrounding lake communities. People have come as far as Loch Lloyd for bait! Bobby is committed to making memories. Three years ago, he suffered a life-threatening stroke that caused him to lose nearly all of the memories of his own kids growing up. “If I can help kids make great memories and live their life a little simpler, that’s what I want to do.” Not too many bait stores owners have that kind of purpose in mind when they order their first nightcrawlers. Big Daddy’s LotaBait also offers hot dogs, a decent meat selection from Nadler’s, and ice cream. Also, if your kids (or you) want to cool off, try one of the free slushies that’s part of the everyday experience at Big Daddy’s. Bobby and Amy have created a nice lake-friendly atmosphere at LotaBait that is sure to become part of our lake tradition moving forward.
As a reminder of the FISHING RULES at Lake Lotawana (Sec III, P, 3, p.22): Live bait can be used. However there are rules against using Carp, Suckers, or other “rough fish” minnows as bait. BTW I checked with our Fisheries Committee and all of the live bait at Big Daddy’s is fine for the lake! Also, left-over minnows SHOULD NOT be thrown into the lake. Otherwise have fun fishing!
Like many of you I have fond memories around many of the traditions we have at Lake Lotawana. Lotawana Days is one! I always am so appreciative of the creativity, hard work, and commitment of those that willingly and joyfully volunteer their time to help us all make more memories with friends and loved ones. Thank you! As Bobby McKinzie put it, “Money and things won’t matter when you come to the end of your life. In the end it’s your memories that will matter more than anything.” Coming from someone like Bobby who knows what it’s like to face the end and lose many of his own precious memories, these sentiments can be something we could all put onto our list of lake and life traditions for 2025 and beyond. I think you’re storing some treasures in heaven too Bobby.
See you on the Pond!
SAFER SEVEN Lotawana Days 2025: Skiing, Swimming, and Fish, OH MY!
In this week’s Safer Seven we pay tribute to Lake Lotawana Days, one of our longest lasting traditions at the Lake. The quiz reflects rules and regulations around skiing, swimming, and fishing…many of the activities featured as part of this year’s Lake Lotawana Days, Viva Lota Vegas! Test your knowledge of the rules around these activities.
Answer True of False or Yes or No for the following statements.
- When you are towing a skier or tuber behind your boat you must display a flag that is always perpendicular to the deck. TRUE or FALSE?
- You should put your ski flag up BEFORE putting anything else (skis, gear, rope, tube) in the water. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE.
- Ski Belts are approved flotation devices for skiing and other activities where you pull someone behind the boat. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! You must have an approved floatation device that can withstand the impact of a fall. Ski Belts are not allowed (Sec III, N, 2, part b, p. 21)
- The term “Water Skier” is used for anyone being towed behind a boat and includes wake board, aquaplane, tire tube, inner tube, zip sled, surfboard, air chair, or any other similar devices. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE!
- Smooth water is best early in the morning. You can start surfing as soon as it is light enough to do so. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! You can only water ski or tube after sunrise and then until ½ hour after sunset. (Sec. III, N, 3, part a, p. 20)
- It’s Saturday morning and you decide to swim across the lake. You take a life jacket with you to be safe. This does not violate any rules. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! Swimmers must stay within 75 feet of the shoreline. If you have a floatation device you can swim from watercraft inside of a cove, as designated by the official Traffic Control Devices as long as you stay 75 feet from the watercraft. (Sec. 3, O, p. 22).
- You just caught a nice walleye and are phoning your friend for a recipe for dinner. Are you allowed to harvest and eat walleye from the lake? YES or NO? NO! Walleye are considered special purpose fish as they eat a lot of the nuisance fish (shad) and are stocked for that reason. Stripers or striped bass are also Special Purpose Fish that need to be returned to the lake immediately and unharmed.