Keeping the Chain Clean: Invasive Species Basics

The Whitefish Chain is about 14,000 acres of connected water. That connection is what makes it so special, and it is also what makes aquatic invasive species such a serious concern. What enters one lake can reach others. The good news is that the most effective protection is simple, and it is in every boater's hands.

Why invasive species matter here

Aquatic invasive species are plants and animals that are not native to our lakes and can spread quickly once they arrive. Depending on the species, they can crowd out native plants, affect fish and wildlife, make swimming areas less pleasant, damage equipment, and change the character of a lake.

On a chain of connected lakes, the stakes are higher. Boats move easily between Cross Lake, Lower Whitefish, Rush-Hen and the rest of the system. A problem that starts in one place does not stay there. Protecting the chain is a shared job, and every owner and visitor is part of it.

The Minnesota DNR tracks which waters are affected by which species and sets the rules for preventing their spread. For current information on any lake, check with the DNR.

Clean, drain, dry

Three words sum up the most widely recommended prevention habits. Make them part of every trip.

Clean

Before leaving any water access, remove aquatic plants, animals and mud from your boat, trailer, motor and equipment. Check the places things like to hide: the trailer bunks and rollers, the propeller, the anchor and its rope, the transom and the livewell.

Drain

Drain all water from your boat, motor, livewell, bilge and bait containers before leaving the access. Pull the drain plug and keep it out while you trailer the boat. Minnesota has specific rules about draining and transporting water and bait, so check the current DNR requirements.

Dry

Let your boat and equipment dry completely before launching in a different body of water. Some organisms can survive for days in a damp place. If you cannot dry everything, many people choose to rinse with hot water or allow extra drying time before moving to another lake.

Habits for owners on the water

Lake owners have a few additional opportunities to help protect the chain:

• Docks and lifts. When you buy used docks, lifts or boats, or move them from another lake, inspect them carefully and follow DNR rules. Moving water-related equipment between lakes can come with specific requirements, so confirm the current rules with the DNR before you place it.
• Bait. Never release live bait into the lake. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
• Water toys. Paddleboards, kayaks, tubes and swim platforms can carry hitchhikers too. Clean and dry them when moving between waters.
• Guests. If friends or renters bring boats, share the clean, drain, dry habit with them.
• Watch and report. If you see something unusual on your shoreline or dock, report it to the Minnesota DNR.

A shared responsibility

Prevention is far easier than cure. Once a species is established in a lake, it is usually very hard to remove, which is why small habits at the landing matter so much. Many lake associations and local groups across the area work on education and prevention. Supporting those efforts, following the rules, and modeling good habits at the landing are ways every owner can help.

The lakes on the chain differ in many ways. Lower Hay is the clearest at 18.6 feet of summer clarity. Arrowhead is shallow and weedy. Big Trout is deep and cold. Each has its own ecology, and each deserves the same care. Our lake guides describe every lake on the chain.

Why it matters for your property

The health of the water is tied directly to the experience of owning on it. Clear water, good fishing and pleasant swimming are a big part of why people choose a lake. Every owner who practices clean, drain, dry is helping protect what makes this place special, for themselves and for everyone who comes after.

When I talk with owners about the value of their homes, I always start with the lake itself. It is the foundation of everything. A private valuation looks at sold lake comparables to form a broker's opinion of value, not an appraisal, and it begins with understanding the lake your home sits on.

Talk it over with David

I live on the south bay of Crosslake, and my family has been on this chain for four generations. Keeping it clean matters to me. If you have questions about your lake or your property, I am always glad to talk.

Begin a private valuation · Call/Text 218.513.2677

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