Protect WSL
Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Wisconsin has various laws in place to prevent the introduction and control of the spread of aquatic invasive species and diseases in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s invasive species rule, Wis. Admin. Code NR 40 [PDF exit DNR]
Swimmer’s Itch Research from Northland College and a Link to Preventing Swimmer’s Itch from Ronald Reimink
We offer a diverse s of vendors
Wisconsin Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
Read about Eurasian Watermilfoil in Wisconsin
Eurasian watermilfoil can reproduce via fragmentation, meaning a single stem fragment introduced to a waterbody could take root and establish a new population. While Eurasian watermilfoil can grow to nuisance levels in some waterbodies, recent studies have found that most Wisconsin lakes currently have populations at low frequencies, with relatively few lakes exhibiting very dense growth.
https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/plants/eurasian-watermilfoil
LDF Fisheries
Hunter Mayo, Fish Hatchery Manager
Phone: 715-588-4492
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1000 Old Abe Road
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
Fisheries and Fish Culture program raises all fish necessary for stocking reservation waters. Since 1960, 577,511,012 walleye fry, 2,979,316 walleye fingerlings, 2,289,714 muskellunge fry, and 125,176 muskellunge fingerings have been raised. Fish population studies involving electro fishing, creel surveys, etc. are conducted regularly under this program.
Characterizing powerboat hydrodynamics and their impacts on the water column and lakebed by St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
Phase II Overview
The objectives of the study were to:
- clarify and define the various hydrodynamic phenomena that are created by a recreational powerboat in motion, and how these phenomena vary with water depth and mode of operation,
- investigate the depth of penetration and duration of emission gases (e.g., engine exhaust bubbles),
- investigate the water column velocities and depth of penetration of the bow, stern, and transverse waves and their potential to resuspend lakebed sediment,
- Investigate the propeller wash velocity and depth of penetration, and the potential to resuspend lakebed sediment,
- investigate the effects of repeated boat passage on thermal stratification and mixing in the water column,
- capture underwater and aerial video of the hydrodynamic phenomena and any subsequent impacts (e.g., sediment resuspension).
Published in July 2025. Links to the report and data (including videos) are below.
Phase 2 Videos:
The Phase 2 research report involved collecting underwater and aerial drone footage. These data allow us to see the hydrodynamic phenomena created by the various powerboats that were tested in this study, and their impacts on the water column and lakebed.
The videos are now available on the SAFL Youtube Channel
OPEN MEDICINE INSTITUTE & HOWARD YOUNG FOUNDATION’S
Tick Borne Illness Center of Excellence
What is Silviculture?
Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and recreation on a sustainable basis.
‘Exploding Trees’ Face Long-term Impacts
By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
This past winter, “exploding trees” went viral on social media. Many news outlets followed up with a more realistic explanation of the dramatically named phenomenon, pointing out that while the bitter cold can cause sudden cracks to form on trees, the trees don’t truly explode.
But what happens to those damaged trees as we warm up and move into the growing season?
A vertical crack in a young maple has become infected with bacteria, causing an ooze called slime flux. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Trees don’t heal wounds the same way that people heal wounds. Instead of repairing the damaged cells, trees compartmentalize the damaged area, serving to limit the ability of bacteria and fungi to invade. Trees then begin growing callus tissue over or around the wounded area.
https://forestrynews.blogs.govdelivery.com/2026/04/01/exploding-trees-face-long-term-impacts
Oak Wilt Information Updated
By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg
In 2025, oak wilt was detected for the first time in Hughes Township, Bayfield County, a northern Wisconsin location where oak wilt remains uncommon. There were no new county finds in 2025.
Based on the findings in 2025, the maps in the Oak Harvesting Guidelines To Reduce The Risk Of Introduction And Spread Of Oak Wilt (the oak wilt guidelines), oak wilt fact sheet and were updated. The maps in the oak wilt guidelines are good through the end of 2026.