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Invasive Species
Awareness
Invasive species are plants, animals, and micro-organisms introduced by human action outside their natural past or present distribution whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health (Government of Canada, 2004).
You can help by:​
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learning to identify invasive species. Quick Guides are available in the links below.
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only using wild caught bait fish in waters where they come from
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not moving live fish from one location to another.
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following the Clean, Drain, Dry Program.
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draining lake or river water from live well and bilges before moving your watercraft.
Invasive Species currently in Mississippi Lake:
Aquatic Plants:
European Frog Bit, Eurasian Watermilfoil, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Phragmites
Terrestrial Plants:
Purple Loosestrife, Phragmites
Fish:
none reported to date... let's work to keep the lake free of invasive fish!
Invertebrates:
Zebra Mussel
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Insects:
Spongy Moth
Monitoring
Invasive species monitoring in Ontario involves community science through citizen reporting via EDDMapS Ontario or the invading Species Hotline, as well as professional programs like the Invasive Species Centre’s Invasive Species Action Fund. Techniques include visual surveys, boat inspections to prevent transport, and advanced methods such as Environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect genetic material from target species.
How to Report an Invasive Species Sighting.
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Online: Use the EDDMaps Ontario app or visit the Invasive Species in Ontario project.
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By Phone: Call the toll-free invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. You can also contact the MVCA (Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority) at 613-253-0006.
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Additional programs like the Federation of Ontario Cottages Associations (FOCA) and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s City Stream Watch program rely on volunteers to monitor and report invasive species.
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To view what has been reported, and to get more information
on the species that have infiltrated into Mississippi Lake,
go to EDDMaps for excellent maps for each species.
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Invasive Aquatic
Plant Species
Aquatic Invasive plants can be free floating, floating and rooted in sediment, rooted and submergent (underwater), or emergent (partly under and partly above the water’s surface). They can affect recreational activities (e.g., boating, fishing, swimming), displace native vegetation, slow down water flow, and alter oxygen levels.
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Learn more at:
European Frogbit - present in Mississippi Lake
Invasive Terrestrial
Plant Species
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Species found around the lake
- additional content TBD
Invasive Terrestrial
Plant Species
Terrestrial plants in a forest ecosystem can be trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants that have been moved from their native habitat to an area where they are able to reproduce quickly and crowd out native species.
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Learn more at:
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/terrestrial-plants/
Purple Loostrife - in abundance around Mississippi Lake
Invasive Fish Species
Invasive fish species impact our aquatic ecosystems by competing with native fishes for food and habitat, altering food webs, and preying on sport fish eggs and larvae populations.
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Learn more at:
https://www.invadingspecies.com/invaders/fish/
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Round Goby - in the Rideau River system, but has not yet been reported in Mississippi Lake
Invasive Invertebrate Species
Invasive invertebrates can be crayfish, snails, mussels, clams, waterfleas, or mysid that impact our aquatic ecosystems by competing with native species for resources, such as food and habitat, and can destroy native fish spaning habitats.
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Learn more at:
Zebra Mussel - throughout Mississippi Lake
Invasive Insect Species
Invasive insects including the Spongy Moth (LLD), Emerald Ash Borer, and the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle can devastate tree populations and can affect every aspect of the ecosystem, causing cascading negative effects to native vegetation and wildlife.
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View specific information about the Spongy Moth
Learn more at:
https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/
Spongy Moth - throughout Mississippi Lake