With the growing concern over the spread of aquatic invasive species to Wisconsin’s inland lakes, many lake association members and other concerned citizens are looking for ways to get involved. 

The Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer watercraft inspection program is an opportunity to take a front line defense against the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Through the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program, volunteers are trained to organize and conduct a boater education program in their community. Adults and youth teams educate boaters on how and where invasive species are most likely to hitch a ride into water bodies.

Volunteers perform boat and trailer checks for invasive species, distribute informational brochures and collect and report any new water body infestations.

To get involved contact the DPL Board or Audrey Greene
To learn more about the positive results and effectiveness of this program and the trends in their successful education of boaters click here.

• Eurasian Milfoil

Milfoil update Eurasian water milfoil is an aquatic plant native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.

Eurasian milfoil first arrived in Wisconsin in the 1960s and spread quickly. By the 1990s, it was found in more than half of our Wisconsin counties. This plant upsets the delicate balance of a lake’s ecosystem by blocking out sunlight needed for native plants to grow. Poor water quality, lack of food for fish and waterfowl, interference with swimming and boating are all by-products of milfoil invasion.

There are some things we can do, according to the Department of Natural Resources:

• Prevent fertilizers from reaching lakes and feeding milfoil colonies. You can maintain a natural shoreline, or plant a rain garden in areas that run off into the lakes and streams.
• Inspect and remove all aquatic plants from your boat, motor, trailer, and fishing equipment before you leave the lake.
• Hand pull or rake the plants, but be careful to remove fragments from the water and the shore. Plant native plants in their place to stabilize the bottom, build nurseries for small fish, attract waterfowl, and prevent new milfoil invasions. See http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/milfoil.htm

• VHS

VHS stands for Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia. The intimidating name is appropriate since this virus is deadly to our Wisconsin fish population. Thankfully the virus cannot hurt humans, but it can kill 25 species of fish. A new law went into effect April 4, 2008, in order to prevent the spread of FHS. See http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/vhs_prevent.html.

The DNR is asking the public to take precautions similar to those used in stopping the spread of invasive species on all waters:

• Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment and remove visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud.
• Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers.
• Do not move live fish from one body of water to another.
• Dispose of leftover bait in the trash, not in the water or on land.
• Buy your minnows from Wisconsin bait dealers or catch your own and use it to fish the water you caught it from.
• Wash your boat and equipment with high pressure or hot water, or let it dry for five days.

• Zebra Mussels

Zebra mussels were first found in Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan in 1990. We believe the mussels’ larvae was introduced to our lakes from Eurasian originating ships. Powers Lake was infested in 2003, and as of April of 2008 the population of mussels in our lake reached 744,200. http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/AIS/listsandmaps/2008/zm.pdf. The way Zebra mussels feed impacts water clarity and depletes our waters’ food supply. Fish are especially adversely affected because a resulting higher light penetration makes it harder for larger fish to hunt their prey. Plant growth becomes very dense and disrupts the enjoyment of our swimmers, boaters, and fishermen.  Zebra mussels are picky eaters, choosing only some types of algae for food. Therefore we may see an increase in the type of algae they eschew, such as blue-green algae.

• Emerald Ash Borer

An emerald ash borer is a green colored beetle that attacks ash trees. A United States Department of Agriculture scientist in Michigan has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer (EAB) in a newly planted ash tree in rural Kenosha County, several miles north of Silver Lake. This is the third documented discovery of the beetle in Wisconsin. According to Chris Williamson, a University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor of entomology and an insect-control specialist for UW-Extension, "We have very good research data that shows the area of highest risk is within 10-12 miles of a known infestation." The area may be treated by injecting pesticides into the soil annually. "Outside of that area, I really don't think there's a need to treat," Williamson said.

• Curly Leaf Pond Weed

Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive aquatic perennial that is native to Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. It was accidentally introduced to United States waters in the mid-1880s by hobbyists who used it as an aquarium plant. The leaves are reddish-green, oblong, and about 3 inches long, with distinct wavy edges that are finely toothed. The stem of the plant is flat, reddish-brown and grows from 1 to 3 feet long. The plant usually drops to the lake bottom by early July
Curly-leaf pondweed spreads through burr-like winter buds (turions), which are moved among waterways. These plants can also reproduce by seed, but this plays a relatively small role compared to the vegetative reproduction through turions. New plants form under the ice in winter, making curly-leaf pondweed one of the first nuisance aquatic plants to emerge in the spring.