Boaters Can Unintentionally Spread Invasive Species

MICHIGAN—The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is reminding boaters to clean their boats to help stop the spread of European Frog-Bit.

"Because aquatic invasive plants like European frog-bit are difficult and costly to control, we are reminding boaters, waterfowl hunters and anglers to remove plants and debris from boats, trailers and gear after each use to prevent the spread of this and other invasive species," said Joanne Foreman, invasive species communications coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

European Frog-bit is an invasive aquatic plant spreading across Michigan that can disrupt navigation for boaters, large fish and diving ducks because of the dense mats it forms on slow moving waters like bayous, backwaters and wetlands. And since it is free-floating, it easier for boaters to unintentionally spread.

Although the plant looks similar to lily pads, European Frog-Bit is more distinctive because it has a single white flower with a yellow center that is most visible from June to August.

Environmental officials continue to survey areas across the state for the specie and is currently working on a plan that includes chemical control to prevent further spread while the population is still small and localized.

European Frog-Bit was first discovered in Michigan in 1996 and has mainly spread up the eastern coast along Lakes Erie and Huron. However, it has more recently been discovered in the Lower Grand River (Ottawa County) and Pentwater Lake (Oceana County) in 2019 and Dansville State Game Area (Ingham County), Waterloo Recreation Area (Jackson and Washtenaw counties) and the Les Cheneaux Islands (Mackinac County) in 2020.