Aquatic Invasive Species

Chisago County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

The goals of the Chisago County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program is to Prevent the spread of AIS through conducting watercraft inspections, decontamination of watercraft, providing education and outreach to citizens, enforcing AIS laws and regional coordination. The County conducts Early Detection activities through zebra mussel veliger sampling, installing zebra mussel monitoring plates, and conducting aquatic plant Point-Intercept surveys. Chisago County will implement Rapid Response actions if zebra mussels or other AIS are found in a lake or river located in the County.

Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District

One of the goals of the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District is to promote the reduction of non-native aquatic invasive species (AIS). Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants, animals and other organisms. When they are introduced into a lake or river they cause harm to the ecosystem. Once in a lake or river they can be impossible to eliminate and difficult to manage. Each year, thousands of watercraft users come to local lakes and rivers, potentially bringing zebra mussels and other AIS along with them. 

Reporting Suspected Invasive Species

Report a Suspected Invasive Aquatic Plant. Opens in New Window 

Report a Suspected Invasive Aquatic Animal. Opens in New Window 

Clean, Drain, Dispose and Dry

The AIS Fact Sheet (PDF) helps educate watercraft users on how to Clean, Drain and Dry watercraft and Dispose of bait to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS. The AIS Fact Sheet (PDF) also provides information on the types of AIS species currently found in lakes in Chisago County. Thank you for taking the steps and helping to reduce the spread of AIS. What you do Matters...and it’s Minnesota State law to Clean, Drain, Dispose!

View the Annual Report Fact Sheets below for more information on AIS Activities conducted in Chisago County last year.

• Chisago County - AIS Program Accomplishments 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Watercraft Inspections 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Decontamination Blitz 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Communication and Education 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Figuring Out Phragmites Workshop 2019 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Zebra Mussel Veliger and Spiny Waterflea Monitoring 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Zebra Mussel Watch Program 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• Chisago County - AIS Water Access Monitoring Program 2020 (PDF)
• Chisago County - AIS Starry Trek 2020 (PDF) Opens in New Window 

AIS Communication and Education

In 2016, staff developed an AIS Communication and Education Plan for Chisago County with the Mission to "Education Citizens about AIS and encourage behavior that reduces or stops the spread of AIS in Chisago County." Please view the fact sheet below for more information on AIS educational activities

• Chisago County - AIS Communication and Education Program Activities 2020 (PDF)

 Watercraft Inspection Program

Chisago County and the Lake Improvement District actively works to minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species by conducting boat inspections at public water accesses. The Watercraft Inspection Program (PDF) goal is to inform and educate watercraft users on the threats of AIS. Inspections are key to helping watercraft users understand how to prevent the spread of AIS by cleaning off weeds, dumping and replacing minnow bucket water, and removing the drain plug to let water drain from watercraft.

• Chisago County - Aquatic Invasive Species and Watercraft Inspection Program 2020 (PDF)

AIS Treatment Program

The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District also provides cost share funds to are lake associations for treatment of Eurasian Watermilfoil and Curly-leaf Pondweed to improve navigation for watercraft in are lakes.

• Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District - Aquatic Invasive Species Treatment Program 2020 (PDF)

AIS in Minnesota

• 95% of lakes in Minnesota are not infested with AIS.
• 98% of lakes in Minnesota are not infested with zebra mussels.

Let’s continue to work together to help prevent the introduction and reduce the spread of AIS in Chisago County and in the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District. Visit the MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Infested Waters List Opens in New Window  for known locations of invasive species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers.

Invasive Phragmites in the Lake Improvement District

Local lake associations are working with the MN Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC), the Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District and St. Croix River Association to identify and map occurrences of invasive phragmites and determine long-term ways to treat infestations along shorelines, and in wetland and upland areas in the Chisago Lakes area.

The Center Lakes Association and Chisago-Lindstrom Lakes Association are actively working with lakeshore owners to cut stands of invasive phragmites on shorelines and treat with an approved herbicide.

To contact your local lake association, or for more information, view the Invasive Phragmites fact sheet below.

• Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District - Phragmites Flyer