Wipe Spiny Water Flea Off Your Fishing Gear! Slowing the Spread by Targeting Anglers

The spiny water flea (Bythotrephes longimanus) is an invasive zooplankton that has been spreading into Minnesota’s inland lakes. Preventing the spread of spiny water flea (SWF) to uninfested lakes is an important management priority because SWF can reduce the abundance of native zooplankton and alter lake food webs. Movement of recreational fishing gear between lakes may be a primary vector for spreading SWF however, dispersal mechanisms and risks associated with specific gear types remain unknown. We tested the susceptibility of commonly used fishing gear to fouling by SWF by simulating the use of five gear types (three types of fishing lines, downrigger cables, bait buckets, live wells, and three types of anchor ropes) on two Minnesota lakes. We found that surface and downrigger monofilament lines became significantly fouled by spiny water fleas when the fleas were abundant in the water column. Our slow-the-spread campaign will provide a towel printed with instructions for wiping spiny water fleas off of angling gear. Radio and YouTube PSA’s will help spread this message.