Empowering Waterfowl Hunters to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
With the 2022 migratory season underway in the Northwoods, waterfowl hunters have the perfect opportunity to achieve one of the most important habitat conservation efforts possible while out in the field - to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).
With the 2022 migratory season underway in the Northwoods, waterfowl hunters have the perfect opportunity to achieve one of the most important habitat conservation efforts possible while out in the field - to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).
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Check out the AIS Teams Summer Newsletters
Our summer season is coming to an end.
Enjoy some photos from our summer 2022 activities!
Enjoy some photos from our summer 2022 activities!
Want to know more about a specific AIS? Click on the button below to find out more!
Where can you find AIS in Oneida County? Click on the button below for maps showing AIS lications Oneida County.
Oneida County AIS Teams Lake Wide AIS Monitoring and Water Clarity Monitoring Reports
Below is a list of the lakes that the AIS Team has monitored and gathered data from in recent years. Click the name of the lake to view the latest report, including aquatic invasive species monitoring and water clarity data. If you have questions about a lake report, please contact Stephanie Boismenue at sboismenue@co.oneida.wi.us or at 715-369-7835.
2022 Lake Monitoring Reports
Bear Lake
Big Carr Lake
Crescent Lake
Eagle River
Emma Lake
Hemlock Lake
Hilderbrand Lake
Hodstradt Lake
George Lake
Little Carr Lake
Maple Lake
Moen Lake
Oscar-Jenny Lake
Perch Lake
Prairie Lake
Sureshot Lake
Thunder Lake
Townline Lake (Rhinelander)
Townline Lake (Three Lakes)
2022 - Additional AIS Monitoring and Management Project Summaries:
Blue Lake EWM Monitoring and Removal
Buffalo Lake Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Summary
Holmboe State Natural Area - AIS Management Summary
Indian Mounds Yellow Iris Management Summary
Lake Tomahawk Yellow Iris Management Summary
Lower Kaubashine EWM Rapid Response Survey Map
Planting Ground Lake Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol
Virgin Lake EWM Hand Harvest Summary
2022 Event Summaries
Lake Nokomis Concerned Citizens Membership Appreciation Picnic
Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting
2021 Lake Monitoring Reports
Buffalo Lake
Gilmore Lake
Perch Lake
Sureshot Lake
Townline Lake (Rhinelander)
Native Mussel Monitoring Reports
2020 Lake Monitoring Reports
Alva Lake
Bass Lake
Bolger Lake
Dorothy Lake
Hanson Lake
Hawk Lake
Indian Lake
Pelican Lake
Rice Lake
Sevenmile Lake
Two Sisters Lake
2022 Lake Monitoring Reports
Bear Lake
Big Carr Lake
Crescent Lake
Eagle River
Emma Lake
Hemlock Lake
Hilderbrand Lake
Hodstradt Lake
George Lake
Little Carr Lake
Maple Lake
Moen Lake
Oscar-Jenny Lake
Perch Lake
Prairie Lake
Sureshot Lake
Thunder Lake
Townline Lake (Rhinelander)
Townline Lake (Three Lakes)
2022 - Additional AIS Monitoring and Management Project Summaries:
Blue Lake EWM Monitoring and Removal
Buffalo Lake Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Summary
Holmboe State Natural Area - AIS Management Summary
Indian Mounds Yellow Iris Management Summary
Lake Tomahawk Yellow Iris Management Summary
Lower Kaubashine EWM Rapid Response Survey Map
Planting Ground Lake Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol
Virgin Lake EWM Hand Harvest Summary
2022 Event Summaries
Lake Nokomis Concerned Citizens Membership Appreciation Picnic
Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting
2021 Lake Monitoring Reports
Buffalo Lake
Gilmore Lake
Perch Lake
Sureshot Lake
Townline Lake (Rhinelander)
Native Mussel Monitoring Reports
2020 Lake Monitoring Reports
Alva Lake
Bass Lake
Bolger Lake
Dorothy Lake
Hanson Lake
Hawk Lake
Indian Lake
Pelican Lake
Rice Lake
Sevenmile Lake
Two Sisters Lake
Clean Boats, Clean Waters
With the growing concern of aquatic invasive species (AIS) threatening the health of our Northwoods water resources, many lake residents and other concerned citizens are looking for ways to protect the lakes they love. Since 2004, the Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) Watercraft Inspection program has provided an effective, easy, and indispensable method for trained watercraft inspectors to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS at the landings. Though the CBCW program, inspectors check boats and trailers for AIS before boaters launch and before they leave a waterbody. Inspectors also teach boaters, anglers, and water enthusiasts how and where AIS are most likely to hitch a ride into new waters and the steps to prevent the spread of AIS.
If you would like to become a watercraft inspector, or need a refresher before the opening of fishing season, a free CBCW training can show you how. Please see the 2022 CBCW training schedule to register and learn more.
With the growing concern of aquatic invasive species (AIS) threatening the health of our Northwoods water resources, many lake residents and other concerned citizens are looking for ways to protect the lakes they love. Since 2004, the Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) Watercraft Inspection program has provided an effective, easy, and indispensable method for trained watercraft inspectors to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS at the landings. Though the CBCW program, inspectors check boats and trailers for AIS before boaters launch and before they leave a waterbody. Inspectors also teach boaters, anglers, and water enthusiasts how and where AIS are most likely to hitch a ride into new waters and the steps to prevent the spread of AIS.
If you would like to become a watercraft inspector, or need a refresher before the opening of fishing season, a free CBCW training can show you how. Please see the 2022 CBCW training schedule to register and learn more.
AIS Resources
- UW Extension Lakes - CBCW and CLMN Programs
- What's In Your Lake? Lakes & Rivers with AIS
- Transport Laws for Boaters and Anglers
- Northwoods Businesses for Clean Waters
- Oneida County Lakes & Rivers Association
- UW Center for Limnology
- USDA Invasive Species Resources https://www.usda.gov/topics/invasive-species
- WI DNR - AIS Efforts
- WI DNR - Invasive Species
- WI DNR - Lakes
- WI DNR - Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS)
- WI DNR AIS Mapping Tool - Surface Water Data Viewer - This link will bring you to an interactive mapping system where you can select which invasive species you’d like to see. The Surface Water Data Viewer (SWDV) is a Wisconsin DNR data delivery system that provides interactive web mapping tools for a wide variety of datasets including chemistry (water, sediment), physical, and biological (macroinvertebrate, aquatic invasive species) data.
Aquatic Invasive Species, What Everyone Needs to Know!
In Wisconsin, an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a non-native species (plant, animal, or organism) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
With over 1,129 lakes and rivers in Oneida County, our water resources are a large part of our lifestyle and AIS are a growing risk to our valuable water resources. The introduction of one (1) single AIS can have the potential to negatively impact native habitats, ecosystems services, fisheries, wildlife, recreational opportunities, waterfront property values, water-related business and industries, human health, and how we enjoy or time on the water. Furthermore, managing AIS comes with a hefty price tag and cost the Unites States billions of dollars each year.
Unfortunately, several of Wisconsin’s Regulated NR40 AIS have made their way into Oneida County's lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, wetlands, and even roadside ditches. These species include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, aquatic forget-me-not, non-native phragmites, banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, and rusty crayfish.
What Makes a Species "Invasive"?
Species within their native range are not invasive because they have predators, competitors, parasites, and pathogens that create checks and balances. However, when a non-native species enters a new environment, that species is free from the checks and balances of its native range. Non-native species are labeled “invasive” if they: grow and reproduce quickly, spread aggressively, dominate native species, alter the ecological relationship and function among native species, and have the potential to cause economic harm or harm to human health.
Not all AIS in the United States have come from another country. For example, lake trout are native to the Great Lakes were introduced in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming and area considered an AIS because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat.
For many centuries, humans have contributed, both intentionally and unintentionally, to the introduction and spread of invasive species around the globe.
Examples of Intentional Introductions
Examples of Unintentional Introductions
Wisconsin’s AIS Strategies
Activities that Prevent the Spread of AIS
Prevention
It’s everyone’s job to help prevent the spread of AIS. Whether you are a boater, angler, paddler, seaplane pilot, water gardener/pond owner, nursery owner, aquarium enthusiast or even a teacher, you have an important role to play in keeping our waterbodies free of AIS.
Follow the law: Before launching and when leaving a waterbody, you must
INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading and before transporting on a public highway).
DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions*
*You may take leftover minnows away from any state waterbody and use them again on that same waterbody. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to their container.
To view AIS distribution in Wisconsin, please visit https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives/Monitoring.aspx
In Wisconsin, an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a non-native species (plant, animal, or organism) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
With over 1,129 lakes and rivers in Oneida County, our water resources are a large part of our lifestyle and AIS are a growing risk to our valuable water resources. The introduction of one (1) single AIS can have the potential to negatively impact native habitats, ecosystems services, fisheries, wildlife, recreational opportunities, waterfront property values, water-related business and industries, human health, and how we enjoy or time on the water. Furthermore, managing AIS comes with a hefty price tag and cost the Unites States billions of dollars each year.
Unfortunately, several of Wisconsin’s Regulated NR40 AIS have made their way into Oneida County's lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, wetlands, and even roadside ditches. These species include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, aquatic forget-me-not, non-native phragmites, banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, and rusty crayfish.
What Makes a Species "Invasive"?
Species within their native range are not invasive because they have predators, competitors, parasites, and pathogens that create checks and balances. However, when a non-native species enters a new environment, that species is free from the checks and balances of its native range. Non-native species are labeled “invasive” if they: grow and reproduce quickly, spread aggressively, dominate native species, alter the ecological relationship and function among native species, and have the potential to cause economic harm or harm to human health.
Not all AIS in the United States have come from another country. For example, lake trout are native to the Great Lakes were introduced in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming and area considered an AIS because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat.
For many centuries, humans have contributed, both intentionally and unintentionally, to the introduction and spread of invasive species around the globe.
Examples of Intentional Introductions
- Releasing unused fishing bait
- Stocking sport fish outside their native range
- Releasing unwanted aquarium and water garden plants, fish, and animals into a waterbody
- Introducing non-native species for management (bio-control, ecosystem engineering)
Examples of Unintentional Introductions
- Boats, trailers, and equipment
- Moving watercraft from waterbody to waterbody without removing plants, animals, sand, mud and draining water.
- Fishing and waterfowl hunting gear, clothing, and boots
- Ballast water discharge
- Escaped ornamental plants
- Escape of organisms from hatcheries and aquaculture facilities.
- Contaminated plant nursery stock can also act as a vehicle to transport many invasive insect and pathogen species
Wisconsin’s AIS Strategies
- Prevent the spread of AIS into new waterbodies
- Contain the spread of AIS within the waterbody,
- Control existing populations of AIS to minimize harmful impacts, and
- Organize strategies and actions by “invasion pathways”. Pathways are the ways AIS arrives in the state and spread around the state.
Activities that Prevent the Spread of AIS
- Education and outreach
- Clean Boats, Clean Water Watercraft Inspection program
- Monitoring
- Response to new infestations
- AIS Containment to keep if from further spread
- Control and management actions to minimize the impact
- Agency partnerships and collaboration
- Regulation and enforcement
- Research
Prevention
It’s everyone’s job to help prevent the spread of AIS. Whether you are a boater, angler, paddler, seaplane pilot, water gardener/pond owner, nursery owner, aquarium enthusiast or even a teacher, you have an important role to play in keeping our waterbodies free of AIS.
Follow the law: Before launching and when leaving a waterbody, you must
INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading and before transporting on a public highway).
DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions*
*You may take leftover minnows away from any state waterbody and use them again on that same waterbody. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to their container.
To view AIS distribution in Wisconsin, please visit https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives/Monitoring.aspx
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Visit the AIS Website
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Our 2019 Invasive Species Banquet is Now a Memory!
WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!
Highlights from the 2019 Invasive Species Awards Banquet.
Seventy-two Lake enthusiasts, Land and Water employees, and friends gathered at the 11th Annual Award Ceremony at Holiday Acres on August 22, 2019. Guest speakers included Brent Hanson, Hanson's Garden Village and Zach Woiak, WDNR Fisheries Biologist.
Oneida County is located in Northern Wisconsin, has over 1,100+ lakes and rivers, and our water resources are a large part of our lifestyle. For this reason an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) program was developed in 2007 to protect our waterways from the threat of AIS. Our AIS team is an integral part of the Oneida County Land & Water Conservation Department and consists of an AIS Coordinator (Stephanie Boismenue), a Lead Project Assistant and one Project Assistant. Our program focuses on educational outreach, technical assistance, and AIS management.