Aquatic Invasive Species – East Metro Water

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…

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…

Milfoil Morning

By: angiehongmn April 4, 2018

Aquatic BiologyAquatic Invasive Species, Eurasian watermilfoil, Minnesota lakes, St. Croix River AssociationLeave a Comment

Eurasian watermilfoil’s tangled stems grow into thick mats of vegetation that make boating and swimming a pain. These milfoil mats can also crowd out native plant species that support fish and other wildlife.

Aquatic Invasives – The Battle Continues

By: angiehongmn January 3, 2018

Aquatic Biology, Partners and UpdatesAquatic Invasive Species, comfort lake - forest lake watershed district, Washington Conservation District, Washington CountyLeave a Comment

Not so long ago, in a galaxy awfully close to home, the Minnesota legislature allocated $132,169 to Washington County to battle against real life aquatic invasive species (AIS) that creep steadily further into our beloved lakes and rivers each year.

All That Glitters and Is Gold, Does Not Belong in Our Lakes

By: angiehongmn July 18, 2017

Aquatic Biology, WildlifeAquatic Invasive Species, goldfish, Habitattitude1 Comment

By the time we moved from California to Wisconsin at the end of my 6th grade year, Jumpy #4 had grown so large that she(he?) no longer fit in our fish tank.

DNR, Lake Groups, and Local Government Partners Work to Keep Aquatic Invaders at Bay

By: angiehongmn May 30, 2017

Aquatic Biology, Partners and UpdatesAquatic Invasive Species, boating, fishing, MinnesotaLeave a Comment

As of August 2016, the Minnesota DNR has identified 121 lakes, rivers and wetlands infested with zebra mussels, including Forest Lake, White Bear Lake, and the St. Croix River south of Stillwater.