AIS Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County. Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

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1 Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

2 Aquatic Invasive Plants "exotic", "alien", and "nonnative" means the species does not naturally occur here, and has been brought here either accidentally or intentionally "native" plants occur naturally and are fully integrated into the ecosystem Not all alien plants are harmful, but those that are can disrupt the natural ecosystem, out-compete native plants and take over large areas. These plants are considered "invasive" and "nuisance" species. Invasive aquatic plants can get out of control because there is nothing in the ecosystem naturally to keep the population in check. When invasive plants take over and form dense mats, they change the habitat and make it unsuitable for fish, birds and other aquatic organisms.

3 Curly-leaf pondweed First was found in MN in 1910 Probably was accidentally introduced when common carp were intentionally brought to MN In spring, it can form dense mats that may interfere with boating and other recreation on lakes Can cause ecological problems because it can displace native aquatic plants In midsummer, it usually dies back, resulting in rafts of dying plants piling up on shoreline Little Pelican, near river inlet

4 Curly-leaf pondweed Found all over MN Introduced to lakes by fragments on boats, motors and boat trailers Usually first found at public boat accesses and river inlets in chains of lakes Of all invasive plants, this is the one with the highest probability in the area

5 Serrated leaf edge Reddish stem

6 Flowering rush Competes with native shoreland vegetation Eurasian plant that was sold commercially for use in garden pools Now illegal to buy, sell or possess the plant

7 Flowering rush Introduced to Deadshot Bay of Detroit Lake in the mid-1970 s Spread to Detroit, Muskrat, Sallie, Melissa, and Mill Pond The type in the area does not produce seeds, it spreads by root fragments Pelican River Watershed District is spraying for rush to control it

8 Flowering rush Flowering rush at the Detroit Lakes City Beach

9 Eurasian watermilfoil Nuisance invasive plant in the Twin Cities Metro Area Spread by plant fragments carried on boats, motors and boat trailers Eurasian milfoil leaflet pairs per leaf Northern milfoil 5-10 leaflet pairs per leaf

10 Eurasian watermilfoil Nearest lakes with infestations Oscar Lake, Douglas Co Leech Lake, Cass Co Bay Lake, Crow Wing Kimball Lake, Crow Wing Lower Mission Lake, Crow Wing Ossawinnamakee Lake, Crow Wing Ruth Lake, Crow Wing Upper Mission, Crow Wing Lake Alexander, Morrison Co

11 Plants that look similar Eurasian watermilfoil (12 to 21 pairs of leaflets) Northern watermilfoil (5 to 10 pairs of leaflets) Coontail (Hornwort) (forked leaves in a circle) Bladdarwort (branched, flimsy leaves)

12 Zebra mussels D-shaped shell Brown stripes ¼ - 1 ½ inches long Females produce up to a million eggs per year Byssal threads attach to hard objects

13 Zebra mussels Impacts Cut feet on beaches Clog irrigation pipes Clog boat motors Harm fisheries

14 Zebra mussels

15 Otter Tail County

16 Knocking on our door Quagga mussels Spiny waterflea Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) Asian carp 6

17 DNR Role The DNR is the state entity in charge of invasive species; however, they have over 10,000 lakes to keep track of and their state budget varies year to year depending on state funding There is an Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist at the DNR Fergus Falls Office

18 What can you do? PREVENT INVASIVE SPECIES IN YOUR LAKE! Once invasive species have established, it's pretty near impossible to get rid of them. They can be controlled with chemicals, but never eliminated. Chemical control can be expensive ($ /acre). The Lake Minnetonka Association is spending well over $100,000 on control of Eurasian watermilfoil yearly.

19 What can you do? Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment for plant fragments Drain water from the motor, livewell, bilge, and transom wells while on land before leaving any waterbody. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another. Wash then dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. Learn what these organisms look like

20 What can Lake Associations do? Enroll in DNR Invasive Species Watercraft Inspection Program Designate an Invasive Species Watch committee for your lake association Bring plant samples into your local DNR office for confirmation of identifications Produce educational brochures and put them at your boat accesses Check with Fergus Falls fisheries office about past fisheries surveys on your lake. They note aquatic plants in those records.