2023 Lake Invasive Species Report

Annually, FOFL assesses invasive species in Finger Lake. This study is done in mid-summer, typically from late-June to mid-July, and this year the study was completed by Bill Abba and Sue Sazama. The shoreline area was investigated for Purple Loosestrife and the lake itself was assessed for Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil as well as other species. Rake pulls from various depths were made and the plants collected were identified. The search for invasive animals was limited but shoreline areas were studied.

The good news is that no invasive plants were found again this year, and the only invasive animal found was the Chinese Mystery Snail, which has been present for years in Finger Lake and many northern Wisconsin lakes. While our testing is not as exhaustive as some professional groups would be, it is expected we would find invasive plants if they were present. We have been advised by the Vilas County Land and Water Conservation Department to focus on the three most likely invasive plants that would infect Finger Lake – Purple Loosestrife, Eurasian Water Milfoil, and Curly Leaf Pondweed.

These results are very encouraging and are a result of all of the education efforts supported by FOFL and the diligent efforts of the lake residents. It takes every one of us practicing very thorough lake management practices to ensure Finger Lake remains free of problematic invasive plants and animals. The cost of dealing with invasive species in a lake is very high, especially for small lakes like ours with a very limited number of residents to pay the bill. We continue to ask residents to stay focused on invasive species prevention. Remember, the WDNR only offers limited help to no public access lakes like ours so the cost of removing invasives will fall back on the residents.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in property owners renting out their cottages to limited stay guests. FOFL wants to remind people doing this to take responsibility to ensure their guests also follow the procedures for preventing invasive species infestations. We residents can do everything possible to manage this issue, but it only takes one guest to create a big problem for all of us to have to deal with. Educate your guests on the proper use of the lake to prevent invasives from getting into the lake.

Bill Abba