Invasive aquatic plant is spreading in Michigan lakes and rivers
From: Michiganradio.org
Tom Alwin is an aquatic biologist with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). He’s removing European frog-bit from a backwater area in Pentwater River State Game Area. Credit Courtesy: EGLE
Michigan state conservation officials say boaters, anglers, and hunters are spreading an invasive aquatic plant.
The European frog-bit has been messing up Lake Erie and Michigan coastal areas and inland lakes in the central Lower Peninsula for almost 30 years, but it’s popping up in new areas such as Lincoln River, north of Ludington and in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
The invasive plant floats on the water and spreads quickly in lakes and slow moving rivers.
“Pretty soon you have water that is really just covered with this plant. And that means that we have issues with other plants that are native that should be in that area and may not be able to thrive,” said Joanne Foreman, Invasive Species Communications Coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources.