AIS – East Metro Water

Avoid spreading AIS during this year’s fishing season

By: angiehongmn May 9, 2024

Aquatic Biology, WildlifeAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, featured, fishing, lakesLeave a Comment

Currently, only 8% of the lakes in Minnesota have invasive species present and we need everyone’s help to keep it that way.

If you use waders or hip boots when fishing, be sure to clean off any visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud when you’re done and use a stiff brush to scrub the bottom of your boots where mud gets stuck in the treads. Using non-felt soled boots will further reduce the risk of spreading AIS.

It is also important to dispose of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash instead of throwing them in the water or on the shore.

With spring in sight, local communities prepare for an early boating season

By: angiehongmn February 26, 2024

Aquatic Biology, Partners and UpdatesAIS, curlyleaf pondweed, featured, Minnesota lakes, watercraft inspections, zebra musselsLeave a Comment

From 2016 to 2023, the number of inspected watercraft In Washington County with drain plug violations dropped from 7% to 1%. This is an indication that watercraft inspections and AIS education programs are working.

Be AIS smart this fishing season

By: angiehongmn May 12, 2023May 11, 2023

Aquatic Biology, WildlifeAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, featured, fishing, lakesLeave a Comment

Currently, only 8% of the lakes in Minnesota have invasive species present and we need everyone’s help to keep it that way.

It is also important to dispose of unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash instead of throwing them in the water or on the shore.

Volunteer to protect Minnesota lakes from aquatic invasive species

By: angiehongmn July 20, 2022

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

During Starry Trek, scheduled this year for Aug. 20, volunteers gather at training sites to learn how to identify starry stonewort and then head out to local water accesses to search for signs of the invasive species.

Breaking Eurasian watermilfoil’s stranglehold on Minnesota Lakes

By: angiehongmn March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, Big Marine Lake, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Eurasian watermilfoil, featured, Forest Lake, lakes, Minnesota lakes, Valley Branch Watershed District, Washington Conservation DistrictLeave a Comment

Researchers and lake associations search for new ways to control this aggressive invasive species. Meanwhile, watercraft inspections remain the first line of defense in preventing the spread of AIS.

Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species while fishing and boating this season

By: angiehongmn May 14, 2020May 13, 2020

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, boating, featured, fishing, Minnesota lakesLeave a Comment

Last weekend, Minnesota’s 2020 fishing season opened with a bang. There was snow up north, only a few fish caught in the St. Croix River, and no cameo appearances from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. None-the-less, record numbers of Minnesotans purchased fishing licenses last week and set sail in search of walleye, pike, and lake trout…

In the battle against aquatic invasive species (AIS), key weapons include research, inspections & early detection

By: angiehongmn August 15, 2019August 14, 2019

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, boating, featured, Minnesota lakesLeave a Comment

Last month, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) announced nine new research projects scheduled to begin this summer. Included in the list are two projects aimed at controlling common carp – one to develop carp removal strategies that utilize social behaviors and one to explore a herpesvirus that could act as a potential…

Put time on the water to good use this summer: Get free training to become a volunteer AIS Detector

By: angiehongmn March 28, 2019

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, featured, Minnesota lakes, volunteeringLeave a Comment

“So much of Minnesota’s culture and recreation is based around the water and enjoying our lakes and rivers,” says Dan Larkin, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist with the University of Minnesota. “And so, aquatic invasive species and other threats to those habitats really affect people personally.” Over the past ten years, the number of…

Water you waiting for?

By: angiehongmn August 6, 2018

Keeping water cleanAIS, clean water, Minnesota lakes, raingardensLeave a Comment

“All operators are busy at the moment. Please stay on the line and your call will be answered in approximately…60 minutes.” I was checking in on-line for a flight recently when I noticed that my name was wrong on the ticket. I called the airline and waited on hold for 1 hour, 7 minutes, and…

Aquatic life in Forest Lake – The good, the bad, and the ugly

By: angiehongmn July 3, 2018July 3, 2018

Aquatic BiologyAIS, Aquatic Invasive Species, aquatic invertebrates, boating, featured, fish, Forest Lake, lake ecologyLeave a Comment

It was a beautiful night for Arts in the Park; the air was cool, the storm clouds had passed, and a Beatles tribute band was rocking the pavilion. My Forest Lake friends – a damselfly larva and a crawling water beetle – were swimming to the beat of the music in a container full of…