Aquatic Invasive Species Identification

Enjoying the great outdoors is important to many of us. Boating, fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching are traditions that we want to preserve for our children and their children. Today, these traditions are at risk. Aquatic invaders such as zebra mussels, purple loosestrife, Eurasian water-milfoil, bighead carp and silver carp threaten our valuable waters and recreation. These and other non-native, or exotic, plants and animals do not naturally occur in our waters and are called invasive species because they cause ecological or economic harm.

Early detection often means the difference between eradication and ongoing maintenance to reduce the damage aquatic invasive species cause once they are established. Being able to quickly determine that a species has shown up in a new area can also help focus containment efforts and reduce the risk to nearby waters.
- Wisconsin DNR

How you can help...
If you encounter a new AIS threat, report it immediately.
Identification and Response Report Form (pdf)
Identification and Response Guide (pdf)


Know Your County Invaders:
Banded Mystery Snail
Chinese Mystery Snail
Curley-Leaf Pondweed
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Purple Loosestrife
Rainbow Smelt
Red Swamp Crayfish                                                                                                                               Rusty Crayfish
Zebra Mussel

What To Watch For:
Flowering Rush
Round Goby
Spiny and Fishhook Waterflea
Quagga Mussel
Yellow Floating Heart