Monitor Your Lake for Aquatic Invasive Plants!

The Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch (EAPW) is part of MiCorps’ Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP). This program trains volunteers to monitor their lake for aquatic invasive species. Several of these species are not yet common in northern Michigan, but have the potential to take over the lakes. By monitoring your lake for invasive plants, you can detect populations of invasive species while they are still small and easy to control. Enroll now!
Volunteers will receive:
  • Training by Michigan State University Extension staff
  • Assistance identifying aquatic plants ​
  • A better understand of the health of their lake 
A man tossing a rake off a boat
Photo Credit: Jo Latimore

Be on the Lookout For These Aquatic Invaders:

If you see any of the following plants, report them to MISIN. 

Curly-Leaf Pondweed

  • Submerged aquatic plant
  • Wavy leaves that resemble lasagna noodles with finely-serrated edges
  • Flowering spike grows above water’s surface
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Eurasian Watermilfoil

  • Submerged aquatic plant 
  • Whorls of 4 "feathery" leaves
  • Invasive milfoil has 12+ leaflets per leaf
    • Native milfoils have fewer leaflets
Alison Fox, University of Florida, Bugwood.org 

European Frog-Bit

  • Free-floating plant with leaves that grow in rosettes
  • Small heart-shaped leaves grow in rosettes resemble miniature water lily leaves
  • Flowers have 3 white petals with yellow center
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Hydrilla

  • Submerged aquatic plant
  • Whorls of 4-8 leaves with serrated edges
  • Spines along leaf midribs (center veins)
 Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org

Starry Stonewort

  • Whorls of irregular banchlets vary from green to clear in color
  • Resembles tangled fishing wire
  • White star-shaped bulbils (reproductive structures)
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