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DNR updates list of waters infested with AIS [UPDATED]
Published 8:37am Tuesday, June 12, 2012 Updated 11:39am Tuesday, June 12, 2012The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has updated its website to show the additional lakes and river sections that were newly designated as waters infested with invasive species.
“The designation of waters with aquatic invasive species highlights the urgency for increased awareness and vigilance by people who are transporting water or water-related equipment such as boats, docks and boat lifts,” said Jay Rendall, DNR invasive species prevention coordinator. “Extra effort is needed to clean, drain and dry all equipment to prevent further spread from infested waters.”
Another concern is the possibility that Asian carp have moved into southwestern Minnesota waters through the Missouri River watershed. That has led to the designation of many water bodies in that area as infested with bighead and silver carp. Neither the Minnesota DNR nor commercial fishermen have sampled Asian carp in the area yet.
The DNR intends to survey fish in Little Spirit Lake and Loon Lake this summer.
Although the DNR recently did some electrofishing and gill netting on the mainstream Little Sioux River and some associated aquatic basins, so far the DNR has not found any bighead or silver carp in this area.
The designations and associated regulations, such as prohibiting the harvest of bait and transport of water from those waters, are intended to help contain the aquatic invasive species present in the designated waters. The harvest of bait from designated infested waters with invasive fish such as bighead and silver carp is prohibited for commercial and non-commercial use.
Lakes and bodies of water that have been added to the infested waters list:
Bighead and silver carp — Indian Lake (Nobles County); Anderson’s Marsh, Clear Lake, Grovers Lake, Illinois Lake, Little Sioux River and its tributaries, Little Spirit Lake, Loon Lake, Loon Creek between Loon Lake to Spirit Lake, Pearl Lake, Plum Lake, Round Lake, Rush Lake, Skunk Lake, Spirit Lake, West Fork of Little Sioux River and its tributaries, plus many unnamed lakes, and unnamed creeks and ditches connected to infested waters, all in Jackson County.
Also designed as infested are the Mississippi River downstream of Lock and Dam 2 (Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Wabasha, Washington and Winona counties); and the St. Croix River downstream of the Taylors Falls dam (Chisago and Washington counties).
Zebra mussels — Irene Lake (Douglas County), Lake Pepin (Goodhue County), Forest Lake, Libbs Lake and Peavey Lake (Hennepin County).
Eurasian watermilfoil — Cobblestone Lake and Thomas Lake (Dakota County); Lake Pepin (Goodhue County); an unnamed gravel pit (Steele County); Colby Lake (Washington County).
The full list of infested waters is available on the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index_aquatic.html.
Invasive species alert signs are posted at the public water accesses of infested waters. More waters may be designated this summer and fall if they are determined to be infested.
By taking a few simple steps when leaving a lake or river, boaters and anglers can do their part to help stop the spread of several aquatic hitchhikers, such as zebra mussels.
