By the Minnesota DNR
Starry Stonewort confirmed in Clearwater Lake in Wright County
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of the invasive algae starry stonewort in Clearwater Lake, near Annandale in Wright County.
An aquatic vegetation survey company discovered starry stonewort across 1.8 acres of a protected cove on the south side of the east basin of the lake, and a Minnesota DNR invasive species specialist confirmed its presence. The aquatic vegetation survey company and the Minnesota DNR surveyed other areas of the lake and did not find starry stonewort elsewhere in the lake. Available treatment options could include hand pulling, herbicide applications or other methods as appropriate.
Starry stonewort has never been eradicated from any U.S. lake or river, but treatment or careful removal can help reduce the risk of spread and relieve associated nuisance impacts on water-related recreational activities. Early detection is key to effective management.
Starry stonewort has now been confirmed in 27 water bodies in Minnesota. It was first confirmed in Minnesota in 2015.
Starry stonewort is an algae that looks like some native aquatic plants. In late summer and early fall, starry stonewort’s small white star-shaped bulbils become more visible, making it easier to distinguish from other aquatic plants. Information on how to identify starry stonewort can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s website. If people think they’ve found starry stonewort or any other invasive species new to a lake or river, they should report it to the Minnesota DNR by contacting their area invasive species specialist.
Starry stonewort can form dense mats, which can interfere with recreational uses of a lake and compete with native plants. It is most likely spread when fragments have not been properly cleaned from trailered boats, personal watercraft, docks, boat lifts, anchors or other water-related equipment.
Whether or not a lake has any invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
• Clean watercraft, trailers and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
• Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
• Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
• Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one waterbody to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species:
• Decontaminate watercraft and equipment – find free stations on the courtesy decontamination page of the DNR website.
• Spray with high-pressure water or rinse with very hot water (120 degrees for at least two minutes or 140 degrees for at least 10 seconds).
• Dry watercraft and equipment for at least five days before using in another water body.
More information is available on the aquatic invasive species page of the DNR website.
Observations help broaden understanding of deer and other Minnesota animals
With archery deer season coming up, now is an ideal time for hunters to start using the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ online log for deer and other wildlife sightings.
“We’re asking deer hunters to share their observations of wildlife to help broaden our knowledge about deer and other wildlife species,” said Eric Michel, Minnesota DNR ungulate research scientist. “This is our fourth year using a community science approach, and we’re hoping to build on the helpful results from the last few years.”
The Minnesota DNR uses the information to supplement population estimates, which are an important tool for managing wildlife.
Using a mobile device or desktop computer, deer hunters can enter information on the Minnesota DNR website about wildlife they see while in the field including deer, turkey, bear, fisher and other species.
Hunters are encouraged to fill out a report after each hunt even if they don’t see any deer that day. Filling out a report even if no deer are observed is important as it allows for an accurate estimate of the number of deer observed per hour of field observations, which provides a useful comparison to deer density modeling results.
The log will remain open through the end of the year.
The Minnesota DNR first developed a version of this survey following a 2016 report from the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor requesting more checks of the model used to estimate deer populations for each deer permit area. The observation surveys are a way to compare hunter-provided data with Minnesota DNR population estimates.
“By participating in this project, hunters provide another way to check our estimates of deer populations and broaden our knowledge about other animals, in addition to observations from Minnesota DNR wildlife managers,” Michel said.
The Minnesota DNR works with the public to establish deer population goals for areas throughout the state. Each year, wildlife managers use deer population estimates generated by mathematical models to figure out what level of deer harvest will move a local deer population closer to goal. The Minnesota DNR then sets hunting regulations using past hunter participation and success rates, with the aim of harvest moving the population toward goal.
The Minnesota DNR will report results from hunters’ observations in an annual research summary online. Results from 2022 and previous hunter observation survey results are available on the Minnesota DNR website.
Reminder: Deer lottery application deadline is Sept. 7
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as antlerless permit lottery this hunting season to purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 7. Hunters who purchase their license on or before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for the deer permit area or special hunt area they declare.
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