DNR advice for reporting aquatic invasive species

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has recently confirmed aquatic invasive species in some Minnesota lakes. The DNR asks anglers to contact them if they believe they have seen an invasive species.

The Minnesota Department of Resources (DNR) Invasive Species Program recently made several confirmations of new aquatic invasive species (AIS) infestations in lakes around the state. The DNR urges people who think they may have discovered an aquatic invasive species to contact the DNR immediately or bring it to a local DNR office for verification.

“If people have a true concern about something they’ve found that might be an AIS, we want to check it out immediately,” said Christine Herwig, invasive species specialist in Park Rapids. “We will respond quickly. Although not all reports end up uncovering actual infestations, we believe it is always better to be safe than sorry.”

After a report is received, the DNR’s first step is to obtain the sample from the individual who discovered it. If the specimen is confirmed as an invasive species, DNR fisheries and AIS crews survey shorelines and lake bottoms near the reported discovery sites. A typical survey involves shoreline searches in the immediate area of the discovery and lake bottom surveys in open water.

Herwig offers these suggestions to those who think they may have made a discovery: Place the specimen in a bag or other container to keep it intact; if the specimen is an animal (e.g., snail, zebra mussel, spiny water flea), pour rubbing alcohol on it to preserve the animal; take a photo of the suspected invasive species; mark on a lake map or GPS the exact location where the specimen was found; contact the local DNR office immediately to arrange transport to a DNR official. To contact the DNR Fisheries office in Grand Marais, call (218) 387-3056.

Minnesota law prohibits the possession or transport of any aquatic invasive species in the state unless it is a sample being transported directly to a DNR office for identification. AIS include, but are not limited to, zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas.