Aquatic Biology – Page 2 – East Metro Water

Brown’s Creek winds its way toward cleaner water

By: angiehongmn August 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Buckthorn, Keeping water clean, Local Achievements, Partners and UpdatesBrown's Creek State Trail, Brown's Creek Watershed District, featured, fishing, stream restoration, troutLeave a Comment

This summer, the Brown’s Creek Watershed District completes a large-scale stream restoration project, designed to reduce bank erosion, manage floodwaters during large rain events, and improve habitat for fish along a half-mile stretch of Brown’s Creek that flows between McKusick Ave. and the Brown’s Creek State Trail.

Members of the community are invited to view and learn about the Brown’s Creek stream restoration during a tour on Aug. 12 (6:30pm) and a community festival on Sept. 20 (10am-1pm).

One fish, two fish, plant for more fish?

By: angiehongmn July 25, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Partners and Updates, WildlifeCarnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District, featured, fish, fishing, lakes, natural shorelines, shorelines, Valley Branch Watershed DistrictLeave a Comment

Seine netting is one technique that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) uses to collect fish when developing an “index of biological integrity” for a lake, known as an IBI score. The number and variety of fish caught helps the DNR to determine whether a lake fully supports aquatic life.

St. Croix Watershed research highlights growing impact of chloride pollution

By: angiehongmn July 18, 2025July 17, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanchloride, featured, lakes, Minnesota, salt, St. croix Watershed research station, water pollution, winterLeave a Comment

Chloride is toxic to freshwater organisms like fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates and also alters lakes’ internal chemistry, causing a cascade of unexpected impacts.

Why is my lake green?

By: angiehongmn July 10, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Keeping water cleanalgae blooms, beaches, blue-green algae, featured, lakes, MinnesotaLeave a Comment

Across the state, numerous beaches have closed unseasonably early due to blue-green algal blooms, which can be toxic to both people and dogs.

How can you tell the difference between blue-green algae and run-of-the-mill pond scum?

Submit a nomination for 2025 Natural Shoreline Awards

The Natural Shoreline Award Program recognizes beautiful lakeshore, riverfront and streamside properties that incorporate native flowers, shrubs, trees and plants. Award-winning properties can be located in Chisago, Isanti, Ramsey or Washington Counties.

2025 Program Timeline:
– July 1 – August 7: Call for nominations
– August 7 – 31: Program judges will tour and evaluate shorelines
– September 9: Award recipients are announced

Learn more and submit your nominations.

Score your shore: A tool to measure the health of your lakeshore property

By: angiehongmn June 13, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Wildlife, Yards and Landscapingfeatured, lakes, lakeshore, Minnesota, Minnesota lakes, native plants, shoreline, up northLeave a Comment

Maintaining and restoring lakeshore habitat isn’t just good for wildlife, it also helps to protect valuable real estate from literally washing away.

Keeping invaders out of Minnesota waters

By: angiehongmn May 24, 2025May 20, 2025

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, featured, Minnesota lakes, starry stonewort, zebra musselsLeave a Comment

In 2024, Minnesota deployed more than 800 watercraft inspectors to public boat launches around the state to help staunch the spread of zebra mussels, spiny waterflea, and other aquatic invaders. The goal? Preserve Minnesota’s famed “good life” and protect fishing, tourism, and cultural mainstays such as wild ricing and “up north at the cabin.”

One reason for optimism is that we are seeing fewer new infestations and better compliance with state laws for watercraft cleaning and inspections.

Unfortunately, however, the DNR still reported 41 new AIS infestations in Minnesota lakes and rivers last year.

Froggy Figaro

By: angiehongmn April 25, 2025April 24, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Wildlifefeatured, frogs, native plants, nature, spring, WetlandsLeave a Comment

Minnesota is home to 14 species of frogs and toads. During the spring, their chorus rings out as the males search for females and compete to present themselves as the most attractive option with whom to settle down and make a few thousand babies. Because each species has a distinctly different call, you can determine which types of frogs live in your area simply by listening to their symphony.

Tips for dry feet and healthy wetlands

By: angiehongmn April 11, 2025April 11, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Outdoor Adventures, Wildlifebirds, bogs, featured, marshes, Wetlands, WildlifeLeave a Comment

Though Minnesota might be known as the “Land of 10,000 lakes,” we could just as easily call ourselves the “Land of 1,000,000 wetlands.”

two hot air balloons touch down on a lake

Minnesota Lakes – What’s in a Name?

By: angiehongmn April 4, 2025

Aquatic Biology, Uncategorizedbeauty, featured, lakes, lifestyle, Minnesota lakes, nature, travelLeave a Comment

Minnesota is home to 200 Mud Lakes, 150 Long lakes, and 120 Rice lakes.

In addition to their actual names, the Minnesota DNR also assigns lakes a shoreland classification – natural environment, recreational development, or general development – that is used to guide lot size, setbacks, and land uses on surrounding properties.