ens in New Window  Version OptionsAquatic Invasive Species (AIS)HeadlineIs your lake infested? Version OptionsAquatic Invasive Species (AIS)HeadlineIs your lake infesteVersion OptionsAquatic Invasive Species (AIS)HeadlineIs your lake infested?

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Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that live primarily in water and thrive in their new environment, often out-competing native species. Well known AIS include: zebra mussels, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian watermilfoil, spiny waterflea, and starry stonewort. AIS management has quickly become one of the County’s biggest challenges. Although the scenario varies by lake and by species, it is clear that the easiest and most cost-effective method is prevention.

2026 AIS Prevention Plan

Love our Lakes?

Help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and share our vision of being Minnesota's Favorite Place! In the spring of each year, we recruit watercraft inspectors to work weekends May through September at various boat landings in Crow Wing County. If you enjoy working outdoors, educating others, possess excellent customer service and communication skills, we invite you to apply!

AIS Decontamination

Decontamination stations are available to boaters free of charge, with priority given to boaters who have been referred for decontamination by watercraft inspectors or law enforcement present on area landings. Crow Wing County staffs two mobile decontamination units that the location of varies each weekend to better serve the residents and visitors of Crow Wing County. 

Where are decontamination stations located?

• Sites are currently CLOSED for the season
  • Check out the interactive map for additional information.
  • For more decontamination sites across Minnesota visit www.mndnr.gov/decon
  • Clean Your Boat: Learn about Invasive Species

For mobile decontamination locations, text CWCDECON to 1-833-258-7509

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Starry Stonewort

Crow Wing County has hosted "Starry Trek" events for multiple years and has a Starry Search program for local Lake Associations and Lake Improvement Districts to participate in.  Starry Stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to other Minnesota lakes. A huge thank you to all volunteers that have participated in the search for Starry Stonewort. These events have been successful and a great learning experience. No Starry Stonewort has been found during Starry Trek in Crow Wing County. Please watch for more information to come on upcoming years' Starry Trek!

• Starry Stonewort Factsheet (PDF)
• 2025 Starry Trek Volunteers (PDF)
• 2021 Starry Trek Volunteers (PDF)
• 2020 Starry Trek Volunteers (PDF) Opens in New Window 
• 2019 Starry Trek Volunteers (PDF) Opens in New Window  Opens a New Window. 

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More information on these objectives can be found in the Crow Wing County Water Plan

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