Did you know that aquatic invasive species (AIS) can still be spread even during the winter? Invasive species are non-native plants, animals and diseases that cause great ecological, environmental, or economic harm. Aquatic invasive species can crowd out native plants and animals and threaten the quality of boating and fishing in Forest County waters. You may not think so when ice fishing or recreating on the ice, but if proper prevention measures aren’t taken, AIS can spread rapidly and eventually threaten the quality of boating, fishing, and other recreational activities on lakes and rivers. Certain AIS found in our area lakes such as curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil remain hardy in winter, giving them an advantage over native aquatic plants. Other AIS threats may have reproductive parts such as the larvae of snails and mussels that can be spread in the mud and sediment. It’s important that we keep our lakes healthy, so that we can continue to enjoy the high quality water and fisheries that we are lucky to have in our county.
Some steps to prevent the winter spread of AIS are provided below. Ice fisherman and other people should always practice the following when stepping onto or when leaving the ice:
- Inspectmachinery and equipment such as ice augers, snowmobiles and fishing equipment for attached aquatic plants, animals, or mud.
- Removeall attached plants or animals from machinery and equipment.
- Drainall water from buckets and other equipment.
- Never moveLIVE fish away from a waterbody.
- Disposeof unwanted bait in the trash.
For more information contact Kayla Littleton, Forest County Land Conservation and Land Information Director at 715-478-1387 or by e-mail at