If there’s one thing to know about Minnesotans, it’s that most of us are immensely proud of our more than 11,000 lakes. For many of us, it’s our favorite form of entertainment all year long. Summertime brings swimming, winter brings pond hockey, and every season brings fishing. Because Minnesota lakes are used for recreation so much, it is important to protect them.

Unfortunately, many Minnesota lakes are infested with invasive plants, animals, and diseases. These invaders damage ecosystems, harm boat and docks, and cost millions of dollars in damages. Read on to learn about Minnesota’s aquatic invaders, including how they spread, the damage they cause, and how to stop them from spreading.

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, about 7% of Minnesota's lakes are infested with invasive species. That's more than 700 of the state's 11,842 lakes.
briandjan607/Flickr
Some of these species, such as several types of carp, were introduced as game fish decades ago. But their populations have spiked, leading them to be recategorized as invasive species.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Headquarters/Flickr
Many other invasive plants and animals found in Minnesota were introduced accidentally. Great Lakes cargo ships brought in these hitchhikers from around the world. Examples include species such as Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas.
Chesapeake Bay Program/Flickr

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Zebra mussels are another famous example of an aquatic hitchhiker. These small creatures cause damage by attaching themselves to submerged docks, boats, water treatment facilities, clogging pipes and drains. They are also thought to carry disease that kills birds and fish.
Gene Wilburn/Flickr
The mussels, along with all of the other invasive species, add up to a big problem. They cause millions of dollars in damages in infrastructure. They also damage ecosystems and make it difficult to enjoy Minnesota lakes.
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory/Flickr
More than 700 lakes are already affected by invasive species, including 182 lakes that contain zebra mussels. But there are ways to stop their spread.
Shane Dennehey/Flickr
Obey posted signs at Minnesota lakes. They advise visitors to thoroughly clean boats, drain any water, and dispose of any bait. Following these rules will ensure that Minnesota lakes stay as clean and healthy as possible.
Tony Webster/Flickr

To preserve Minnesota’s lakes and waterways for the future, it’s important to stop the spread of invasive species. For more tips on stopping the spread of invasive species, as well as a list of infested Minnesota waterways, take a look at the Minnesota DNR website.

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