Commit to Helping Protect & Preserve Long Lake
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have become a growing concern across Minnesota and in Hubbard County. If left unchecked, invasive species can significantly damage the lakes and rivers we value.
Long Lake is not immune to AIS. Several invasive species are already present in the lake, making continued monitoring, management, and prevention essential. Protecting Long Lake depends on the active involvement of our lake community.
The LLAA actively:
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monitors and reports AIS
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coordinates AIS treatment and management efforts
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educates lake users about prevention
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implements an AIS rapid response plan
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secures funding (through the LLAA Foundation and government grants) to support these efforts
Whether or not you own property on Long Lake, everyone who uses the lake can help prevent the spread of AIS:
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Learn what AIS are and how they spread
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Take steps to prevent transporting AIS between lakes
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Consider supporting AIS monitoring and management through the LLAA Foundation
On this page you will find information about Aquatic Invasive Species and efforts to keep them out of Long Lake including information on our watercraft inspection program and where to find the Hubbard County Decontamination Station. You can call ahead for an appointment at the Decontamination Station by dialing 218-616-1631
We hope you will check out all of the links; they contain a wealth of information.
On This Page
Quick links to important sections::
• Current AIS Status on Long Lake
• Monitoring & Early Detection
• Preventing the Spread of AIS
• Minnesota AIS Laws
• AIS Prevention Videos
• Watercraft Inspection Statistics
• Additional AIS Resources
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Update (October, 2025)
We actively manage and monitor several AIS to protect the health of Long Lake. Early detection and community involvement are key to our success.
Starry Stonewort (Under Active Management)
Location: South Access.
Management: includes hand-pulling and a benthic barrier of burlap placed on the primary infestation. This is the only AIS we currently treat chemically.
Timeline: The 3-year variance for the burlap barrier ends after the 2026 season.
Curly-Leaf Pondweed (New Discovery)
Location: South Access.
Management: Discovered in July, this aquatic plant is currently being managed solely by hand pulling.
Zebra Mussels (Monitoring)
Status: We have not found a producing adult population, which means we cannot treat them with chemicals.
Monitoring:
Veliger Detection: Only one free-floating veliger (invisible baby zebra mussel) has ever been detected in plankton net samples since the lake was listed on the DNR’s
infested waters list in 2020—that was this past summer.
Samples: We continue to monitor zebra mussel settlement samplers around the lake.
Call to Action: We ask everyone to check their docks, lifts, and equipment right now and report any suspected zebra mussels immediately. If you suspect you have found a zebra mussel email: stewardship@longlakeliving.org.
Faucet Snails (Widespread)
Detection: First detected in 2017, which led to the lake being listed on the DNR Infested Waters list.
Current Status: The snails are widespread throughout the lake.
Treatment: Unfortunately, there is no known treatment at this time.
Hope for Research: We are hopeful that the University of Minnesota AIS Research Center (MAISRC) will study the snails so we can develop effective management strategies.
Note: So far, we have not experienced a waterfowl die-off related to the snails.
Monitoring for Early Detection
Near-Shoreline Monitoring (Volunteers): Our volunteers conduct near-shoreline monitoring for early detection, organized into neighborhood routes. Finding an AIS early makes management less costly and far more effective in preventing spread within our lake and to other waters.
Spiny Water Fleas (Deep-Water Check): A volunteer uses a specialized plankton net to check the deep areas for spiny water fleas. So far, none have been detected.
Our AIS Detectors check out all reports of possible AIS on the lake: If you think you have found AIS, please email stewardship@longlakeliving.org. We thank you for your “Eyes on the Water!”
Monitoring and managing AIS requires significant volunteer time and financial resources. The LLAA Foundation helps fund monitoring programs, professional surveys, and watercraft inspection programs.
Donations to the LLAA Foundation help ensure these efforts can continue. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Thank you for support of AIS management efforts!
How Long Lake Detects and Monitors AIS
Female zebra mussels can produce up to one million eggs per year. The fertilized eggs develop into microscopic larvae called veligers, which are free-swimming for up to a month and invisible to the naked eye.
Monitoring for veligers involves collecting plankton samples from the lake and having them analyzed in a laboratory by trained professionals.
The LLAA Water Quality Monitoring Team has been testing for the presence of zebra mussel veligers (larvae) the past several years typically in July and August and sometimes September depending on the water temperature. NO zebra mussel veligers have been present in our Long Lake samples. Monitoring a non-infested lake allows for early detection if the lake becomes infested. This early detection of zebra mussel veligers can prevent spread to other water bodies.
While no veligers have been detected in water samples, three live zebra mussels found by the DNR divers at the south access in 2020 were the last live ZM found until 2023 when the professional survey team later found three additional small zebra mussels on vegetation while surveying the north end of the lake, although the exact location where they were picked up on the boat track is unknown.
Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
Click on this link to listen to the Q & A with Nicole Kovar about Zebra Mussels in Long Lake
If you are a water recreationist (boaters, anglers, water-skiers, sailors, jet-ski users, and canoeists) there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful invasive species from one lake or river to another. In Minnesota it is illegal to transport aquatic invasive species.
Tips for Water Recreationists to Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers
- Inspect and remove aquatic plants and animals before entering/leaving access and drain water before leaving access.
- Dispose of unwanted live bait in the trash, not in the water or on land, then spray, rinse or dry boats.
- Learn to Identify Aquatic Invasive Animal Species. (Zebra mussels, Spiny water fleas, Faucet snails, Rusty crayfish and Mystery snails.)
- Learn to Identify Aquatic Invasive Plant Species. (Purple loosestrife, Starry stonewort, Eurasian water milfoil, Curly leaf pondweed)
- Save a suspected invasive plant or animal in a sealed plastic bag.
- If you suspect a new infestation of AIS plant or animal go this website for directions on how to report it to MN DNR Invasive Species Specialist, Gina Kemper.
- Visit: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html
Know the Rules
Whether or not a lake has invasive species, Minnesota law requires people to:
- Clean watercraft, trailers, gear, and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants, or aquarium pets into Minnesota waters.
- Dry docks, lifts, and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one waterbody to another.
These additional steps reduce the risk of spreading AIS:
- Spray with high pressure water
- Rinse with very hot water
- Use decontamination station: (mndnr.gov/decon)
Use TIP line to report violations: 1-800-652-9093.
Videos on Impact and Steps to Prevent AIS: Its up to us!
Watercraft Inspection Statistics
Watercraft Inspection Reports, provided by Hubbard County Environmental Services, are located online by year. Both Long Lake North Access and South Access detailed statistics are contained within these reports.
This link is to the Hubbard County AIS information: https://www.co.hubbard.mn.us/ais. This page takes you to the Hubbard County website where you can view the AIS inspection report documents for all the lakes. This page on the Hubbard County website has information for:
- Interactive Distribution Map: This map will show you by AIS type which lakes are infested
Protecting Long Lake from aquatic invasive species requires ongoing monitoring, treatment, and community involvement. LLAA membership and Foundation support help fund these efforts and keep Long Lake healthy for future generations.