MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams

@msue-lakes-streams

The Michigan State University Extension Center for Lakes and Streams aims to advance the conservation and stewardship of Michigan’s inland lakes and streams through engagement, education, and research. Visit us at

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MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 8d

⛵ Boats aren't the only way invasive species spread. CLS's Paige Filice and MSU faculty member Alexa Warwick are collaborating with the pet trade to better understand invasive species and pathogen introductions to support ecosystems and responsible pet ownership. www.canr.msu.edu/news/bridgin...

Members of the U.S. Pet Amphibian Health Trade Project sharing best practices for amphibian health with hobbyists at an exotic pet tradeshow.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 26d

Worried about watermilfoil? We just published a guide to the common milfoils of Michigan lakes. There are more heroes than villains! www.canr.msu.edu/news/the-mil... #invasivespecies #EurasianWatermilfoil

Figure 1: Eurasian watermilfoil infestation at Twin Lakes in Newberry, Michigan. Photo: Jeremy Hartsock

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 26d

UP Lakes Wanted! Upper Peninsula lakes are invited to join the MiCorps “Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch” program for free in 2026. Public eyes on the water are critical for early detection of invasive species in northern Michigan lakes. www.canr.msu.edu/news/upper-p...

Two volunteers pull a rake full of starry stonewort, an invasive species, from a lake. Photo credit: Michigan Dept. of Envrionment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 27d

Freshwater drum: The overlooked native fish that has been crushing trillions of invasive mussels in Lake Erie @miseagrant.bsky.social www.canr.msu.edu/news/freshwa...

Freshwater drum only have a few small teeth in their mouth, but they also have pharyngeal teeth far back in their throat behind the gills (inset). These powerful grinding teeth are built for crushing shells, making drum an effective predator on invasive zebra mussels. Photo: Dan O'Keefe, Michigan Sea Grant

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 28d

That's a wrap on the 2026 MiCorps Aquatic Invasive Species Detection Blitz! Over 100 people submitted some really great observations this year, and we’re excited to see the final results. Before it gets too official, though, we had to share a few honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the cut...

Three panel image. First says "Watersmeet Lakeguards Invasive Species Control Coalition 'Milfoil Queen' float in a 4th of July parade - close enough" with an image of a woman dressed as milfoil riding in a boat covered with green cloth in a parade. Second panel says "mute swan decoys that almost made into the Blitz - spider lake" with two decoys floating among lily pads. Third panel says "Zebra mussel dupe! Lake Marjory" with a toy zebra laying in the grass.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· 28d

Webinar: What local leaders need to know about wastewater treatment in your community. Presented by @michiganegle.bsky.social August 19, 10:00 am. Registration: www.michigan.gov/egle/outreac...

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jul 7

61 contributors have posted 108 observations of aquatic invasive species across Michigan so far. The MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz runs through July 12, so you still have 6 days to send us your finds! Help us better understand the extent of these invasive species. www.inaturalist.org/projects/202...

An image of a person holding Eurasian watermilfoil in front of a map of Michigan. This promotion for the MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz states, "Six Days left to help map Michigan's invasive species! 108 verified AIS observations so far. 6 days left! Check caption for current stats!"

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 30

📣It's happening! Now through July 12, we invite everyone in Michigan to report suspected Aquatic Invasive Species to iNaturalist. Help us better understand invasions! It's easy - sign up for the 2026 MiCorps Aquatic Invasive Species Detection Blitz on iNat, and go! www.micorps.net/events/aisbl...

Ad for the MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz showing photos of various invasive species in Michigan. June 29-July 12 2026. Help track aquatic invasive species across Michigan - your observations make a difference!

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 23

Save the date! The 2026 MiCorps Volunteer Lake and Stream Monitoring Conference will be held on November 6 in Muskegon. An optional pre-conference stream monitoring workshop will also be offered. www.micorps.net

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 12

New online learning opportunities posted! ✨ Volunteer monitoring for starry stonewort 🦓 High-tech detection of zebra mussels ❓ Complexities of water resource protection 💰 Funding for fisheries projects 🌿 Can aquatic plants be restored? ...and more! See the list at www.canr.msu.edu/michiganlake...

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 12

Michigan launches new online form to improve reporting, tracking of harmful algal blooms to help keep residents healthy: www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroo...

Harmful algal bloom on Lake Cadillac in June 2023.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 12

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is highlighting the MiCorps volunteer lake and stream monitoring program during this Great Lakes and Fresh Water week. Check it out! @michiganegle.bsky.social www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroo...

Volunteers from the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council identify aquatic organisms at a MiCorps stream monitoring event. Credit: Tip of the Mitt.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 9

2026 Michigan Fish Consumption Guidelines released - check out the Eat Safe Fish Guides at michigan.gov/EatSafeFish (click on the Find Your Area tab).

A man and two boys with fishing gear look at a document. An image of the cover of a Michigan Eat Safe Fish Guide appears to the side.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Jun 3

Help put more Michigan waters on the statewide Aquatic Invasive Species map! That is the focus of a live Zoom webinar next week June 9 at 11:00 a.m. Register here: msu.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Learn more about the 2026 MiCorps AIS Detection Blitz here: www.micorps.net/events/aisbl...

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 29

Brewing awareness for Michigan waters and invasive species! MI Clean Boats, Clean Waters, Trail Point Brewing Co. set to host “Aquatic Ales” event focused on preventing aquatic invasive species in our waters. Join us June 6 in Allendale to try "Coldwater Revival"! www.canr.msu.edu/news/brewing...

Trail Point Brewing Co. and MSU Extension's Clean Boats, Clean Waters present "Coldwater Revival," a juicy IPA featuring tips on protecting our waters from invasive species.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 29

@michiganegle.bsky.social shares their strategies for protecting Michigan from dam failures: www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroo...

Image of partial failure at Lower Hiawatha Dam in Montmorency County.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 22

Michigan is adding water hyacinth and water lettuce to the state list of Prohibited Invasive Species. Get to know these plants and how to report them! content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MID...

Side-by-side infographic of two invasive aquatic plants. Left: water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with purple flower clusters, round waxy leaves held above water by swollen stems, and dangling roots. Right: water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), a free-floating plant with fuzzy, ridged leaves and long roots, producing new plants on horizontal runners. Both labeled “Invasive,” with a prompt to report sightings to EGLE.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 21

(1/n) May is American Wetlands Month, and Michigan has a lot to celebrate. Our state supports an incredible diversity of wetlands, including marshes, bogs, fens, wet meadows, conifer swamps, deciduous swamps, and more.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 20

Lansing-area folks! Rain gardens - even small ones - can intercept runoff before it leads to flooding or pollution of streams and lakes. Learn how to create your own rain garden at the free workshop we're co-hosting! June 1, 6-8 pm. www.canr.msu.edu/events/how-t...

Rain garden between sidewalk and roadway (credit: Lois Wolfson, MSU)

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 15

What's that weird stuff floating in your lake? New Extension article provides tips on how to identify and report potential Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-s-...

A harmful algal bloom in a Michigan lake. If you see a harmful algal bloom it is important to report it. Photo credit: Michigan EGLE

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 11

Our Director, Dr. Jo Latimore, is in Montreal at the Joint Meeting of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography & the International Society for Limnology - #ASLOSIL26! She'll share lessons learned from 50+ years of volunteer lake monitoring in Michigan. www.micorps.net/lakes

Dr. Jo Latimore assists a volunteer with identifying aquatic plants they collected from their lake.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 8

We're excited to announce the winners of the 2026 MiCorps volunteer stream monitoring and stream cleanup grants! We provide leadership to this program and are excited to see the work these teams do to protect Michigan's rivers and streams! content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MID...

Two people in warm clothes look at a sample jar at the side of a river.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 7

Extra Extra! Get your FREE Shoreline materials today! 📰 The Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership has free bulk quantities of shoreline outreach materials. Request your copies by May 15 and help bring easy-to-understand shoreline stewardship to your community 🌊 content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MID...

Image of kayaks on a dock at a lake with a naturally vegetated shoreline. Text reads. Shoreline Living. Get your copy today! Learn about bioengineering and more. Photo Credit: Mark Bugnaski Photography

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· May 4

Natural shoreline buffers are a simple way to support lake health. A little more native growth at the water’s edge can mean less runoff, better habitat, and a shoreline that works with the lake instead of against it. May the 4th be with you and your shoreline! www.shorelinepartnership.org

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 29

📣Hooray! Our 2025 book, "Aquatic Invasive Plants: A Field Guide for Michigan Lakes, Streams, and Ponds", earned an Outstanding Educational Materials award 🏅from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals (ANREP)! Get your copy here: www.canr.msu.edu/resources/aq...

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 28

Spring is salamander season in Michigan’s wet woods, vernal pools, and forested wetlands. In our new article, we take a closer look at these moisture-loving amphibians, including the eastern newt and its unusual three-stage life cycle. www.canr.msu.edu/news/mighty-...

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 23

There are still a few spots available in our two-day Aquatic Plant Identification Course at MSU's Kellogg Biological Station! Come join us as we take a deep dive into aquatic plant life in the field and classroom, June 17-18. www.canr.msu.edu/news/explore... @kelloggbiostn.bsky.social

A group of people sitting on and standing around a dock, listening to an instructor teaching them about a variety of aquatic plants in trays and buckets. Credit: Jo Latimore

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 22

The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative is hosting TWO meetings featuring brief updates from researchers and managers on their current work in invasive crayfish impacts, distribution, management, and policy. April 27 and 28. Details and registration at: invasivecrayfish.org/events1/

Promotional graphic for “Invasive Crayfish Collaborative Meeting: Research & Management Lightning Talks.” The teal and turquoise design features a white crayfish icon and illustrated crayfish outlines. Text announces brief updates from researchers and managers on invasive crayfish impacts, distribution, management, and policy. Event dates are April 27 at 2:00 pm CT and April 28 at 11:00 am CT. A registration link reads invasivecrayfish.org/events1.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 15

We'll be at the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association conference May 1-2... will you? We'll have an informational booth! Many of us will be providing MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program training, and Dr. Jeremy Hartsock will be speaking about aquatic plants. mymlsa.org/mlsa-events/...

A group of adults wearing jackets stand along the railing on the front deck of a large white research vessel named “W.G. Jackson.” The image promotes the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association 65th Annual Conference, titled “Renewing our Waters, Renewing our Promise,” taking place May 1–2, 2026, in Muskegon, Michigan, with a call to “Join Us” and registration information at mymlsa.org.

MSU Extension Center for Lakes and Streams@msue-lakes-streams· Apr 14

A bunch of new lake- and stream-related webinars just dropped on our calendar - check out learning opportunities about: 🦓 Zebra mussel control 🐟 Invasive carp management 🏖️ Beach monitoring ...and much more! See the whole list: www.canr.msu.edu/michiganlake...