Introduction to Lakes Online

for decorative purposes

Course Overview

Introduction to Lakes Online is designed for interested individuals, decision makers, local leaders, resource professionals, and lakefront property owners interested in gaining knowledge about inland lakes and connecting with others who have a similar interest. In this introductory course, participants increase their knowledge and understanding of the following six topics:

  • Lake ecology
  • Watersheds
  • Shorelines
  • Aquatic plant management
  • Michigan water law
  • Community involvement

Course instructors include Bindu Bhakta, Erick Elgin, Paige Filice, Jeremy Hartsock, Julia Kirkwood (EGLE), Dr. Jo Latimore, Brad Neumann, Mary Reilly, and Dr. Lois Wolfson (retired).

The course is offered once a year, typically in January. Registration for the 2025 course is now closed. You can be added to the MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams mailing list below to receive alerts when registration for the 2026 course opens.

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Questions? Contact Paige Filice at filicepa@msu.edu.

Course Information

Registration is closed. 

Course Format

  • Six-week online class taught via pre-recorded video lectures
  • Three Ask-an-Expert webinars
  • Access to units will be provided on a week-by-week, unit-by-unit basis with each new unit opening on Tuesdays at 8:00 AM eastern. Access to future units will be based on completion of the previous unit’s quiz. The quizzes are made up of 10 multiple choice and true/false questions.
  • Once a unit is available to view, it will remain open. 

What to expect

Every week a new unit exploring an inland lake topic will be released on our website. Participants will explore course topics through video lectures and activities such as readings and interactive websites. Many units also include a discussion forum, prompting participants to interact with others and the instructional team. For those looking to dive deeper into a topic, we also provide numerous additional resources. Each unit takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

Ask-an-Expert webinars
Every other week we offer optional one hour Ask-an-Expert webinars specific to topics in the course. These are hosted by the instructional team and outside experts including staff from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The panel of experts address questions submitted via a Q&A box.

2025 Course Schedule

Open Date Course Topic Description
1/21 Getting Started Explore the Introduction to Lakes course website and introduce yourself to the class and instructors via discussion forums
1/28 Unit 1:
Lake Ecology		 An introduction to lake ecosystems and the exploration of basic lake functions
2/4 Unit 2:
Watersheds		 Primer on the water cycle, hydrologic features of a watershed, and land use impacts to lake water quality
2/11 Unit 3:
Shorelines		 Review of shoreline features and functions in inland lake ecosystems and best practices to protect water quality and lake habitat
2/18 Unit 4:
Aquatic plants		 Introduction to plant identification, short and long-term management techniques, and regulations regarding aquatic vegetation
in Michigan lakes
2/25 Unit 5:
Water Law		 Summary of federal, state, and local laws regarding riparian rights, navigability, and permitting on inland lakes in Michigan
3/4 Unit 6:
Community Involvement		 Review of institutions involved in lake management, coordinating with other lake groups, and components of a lake management plan
4/4 Certificate/CEU Deadline To receive a Certificate of Completion or Continuing Education Credits all course requirements must be met by this date
Ask-an-Expert Webinars
2/12
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.		 Webinar #1 Lake Ecology and Watersheds
2/26
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.		 Webinar #2 Shorelines and Aquatic Plants
3/12
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.		 Webinar #3 Water Law and Community Involvement

2025 course syllabus and schedule

Continuing Education Options
The 2025 course as been approved for 16 Michigan Dept. of Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide recertification credits (8 Commercial Core & 8 category 5 [aquatic]) and continuing education hours in the following MSU Extension courses: Master Citizen Planner and Master Naturalist.

Everyone who completes Introduction to Lakes Online in 2025 is also eligible to receive a free one-year membership to the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association.

Cost

The cost of the 2025 course was $115.

** Current individual members of the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association are eligible to receive a $95 reimbursement upon successful completion of the course.

Instructor