An alternative method of preserving filtered chlorophyll samples allows immediate filtration of samples by professional lake managers and volunteer monitors with inexpensive transfer to a laboratory. Using a simple forced air-drying device, samples can be preserved for two weeks and, perhaps, as long as 1–1/2 months without significant change in pigment levels. Filters may be sent by first class mail to a laboratory after wrapping the filters in aluminum foil. A series of 5 experiments was conducted to explore the parameters for maximum extension of the holding time. Results suggest that preserving filters by forced air-drying may be equivalent to other methods such as immediate analysis or freezing, and may be better under many conditions common to field sampling.