Stetsonville Pond project a community effort

A pond on the south end of Stetsonville has gotten a makeover in the past year thanks to the help of donors, volunteers and village workers.

According to village clerk Jan Tischendorf the goal of the project was to make the pond an area to encourage anybody, families, kids to “go fishing” and spend some time outdoors.

The project was made possible through support from the Taylor County Powerline Impact Fee fund, Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club, Central Wisconsin Recreation and Wildlife Inc. (Previously known as the Chequamegon Wildlife and Recreation Association), Sierra Pacific Foundation and village residents Ron and Kris Zuleger with materials donated by Jensen Chip and Seal Coating.

Work on the pond restoration began more than a year ago as residents and village officials took action. The pond had deteriorated with animals digging burrows into the banks.

As part of the project, Precision Dirtworks dredged the pond and rock was installed around the banks to stabilize them. The previous windbreak of trees was cut down and the stumps removed. Many of the trees had been broken and not healthy. They are being replaced with memorial trees.

The trees are purchased from Frenchtown and are available for a $100 sponsorship through the village clerk’s office. The trees were planted by village employees Doug Klemm, Jay Jochimsen, Tischendorf along with volunteer Bob Robida. Memorial trees are still available and each includes a plaque with a personalized message.

Another area for trees is being developed as the “Firefighters Memorial Grove” to honor past members of the Stetsonville Volunteer Fire Department. While many of the past firefighters have trees at the fire station, they are running out of room there to plant more trees prompting the need for a new area.

Additional landscaping around the pond was boosted by a machine donation from Virgil Berndt.

The project also included planting the pond with various panfish species including bluegill, hybrid bluegill and perches from Hein Fish Farm. Plans are to expand the species adding bass and crappies in the near future.

Al Riemer Builders and his employees constructed a dock and windmill. The pond aerator is currently winddriven but they are looking to install electric service to the pond to run an aerator in the future.

The village wants to ensure that people of all ages and physical abilities can share in enjoying the area. A handicapped accessible fishing dock/pier was installed and the work on the ramp to it is still ongoing. A path will be made from the south parking lot by the tank to the pier. This summer it will be constructed first with fill by Jensen Chip and Sealcoating and then will be blacktopped in Spring 2023.

While the pond area has seen dramatic improvements since the start of the project, there is still a lot of work to do.

Tischendorf noted the village is still inviting community members to help support the project with any donations to be designated for plants and other landscaping, put toward the blacktopping project or for the construction and placement of shelters, benches and picnic tables at the area.