Keeping Invasive Species Out of Our Lake

Aquatic Invasive Species Threaten Michigan Lakes

Eurasian milfoil appeared in Lake Mitchell in the mid-1980s. The original plant was probably just a fragment wound in a propeller or twisted onto the frame of a boat trailer. But once in the lake, in a matter of years, it had created thousands of plants costing property owners hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Ocean traffic passing through the St. Lawrence Seaway has introduced dozens of other invasive species into Great Lakes waters.

Fish such as gobies and ruffes threaten walleye and perch populations in the Great Lakes.

Bloody red shrimp, the spiny water flea, the fishhook water flea, and quagga mussels compete with native organisms diminishing food sources for native fish populations.

VHS a fish-killing virus made its first appearance in an inland lake in Budd Lake near Harrison.

Zebra mussels cover rocks making barefoot walking unpleasant as well clogging intake pipes and covering dock supports.

Curly leaf pondweed, a fast growing invasive plant, can be just as problematic as Eurasian milfoil.

Hydrilla, a plant capable of completely choking a lake, was found in an Indiana lake and $2 million dollars was spent to control hydrilla in that one lake. If hydrilla comes to Michigan it could overwhelm lakes here as it has done in other states after only a few growing seasons.

The Michigan Se Grant website www.miseagrant.umich.edu offers a vast amount of information about aquatic invasive species in Michigan as well as other the latest on other ecological issues pertinent to our state.

What you can do to keep Invasive species out of Lake Mitchell

INSPECT your boat and your equipment and remove all weeds from your trailer propeller, anchor, and any other place found on your boat.

DRAIN all water from the boat motor, bilge, live well, and bait buckets on dry ground.

DISPOSE of leftover bait in a trash receptacle, not in the water.

RINSE your boat and all fishing equipment with hot tap water, OR thoroughly dry your boat outdoors for at least five days before traveling to a new lake or stream.

TEACH and help others to do the same.