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Aquatic Invasive Species
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Detections
Water Bodies with AIS Detections
The AIS Unit and partners conduct annual monitoring for zebra mussels and spiny waterflea. As well, members of the public assist by reporting AIS sightings. The AIS Unit verifies all sightings prior to confirming as a new detection.
Table 1. Manitoba water bodies where zebra mussel, spiny waterflea, rusty crayfish or black algae have been detected, the year the AIS was detected and the corresponding AIS requirement (e.g., under a control zone designation, restricted access designation). Note: control zones include all tributaries to the first impassible barrier.
AIS Control Zone information and map.
| Water body | AIS | Year Detected | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assean Lake (northwest of Split Lake) | Zebra Mussel | 2019 | Restricted Access |
| Birch River (in southeast MB near Prawda) | Rusty Crayfish | 2011 | Possession of crayfish is prohibited |
| Betula Lake | Black Algae | 2003 | Control Zone |
| Buffalo Bay (MB portion of Lake of the Woods) | Rusty Crayfish | 2021 | Possession of crayfish is prohibited |
| Spiny Waterflea | 1995 | Control Zone | |
| Cedar Lake (specifically Cross Bay) | Spiny Waterflea | 2020 | Control Zone |
| Zebra Mussel | 2015; confirmed 2021 | Control Zone | |
| Cedar Lake (proper) | Spiny Waterflea | 2020 | Control Zone |
| Ebb and Flow Lake (bay of Lake Manitoba) | Zebra Mussel | 2022 | Control Zone |
| Echimamish River (downstream of Hairy Lake) | Zebra Mussel | 2021 | Control Zone |
| Falcon Lake | Rusty Crayfish | 2007 | Possession of crayfish is prohibited |
| Foot Print Lake (directly north of Cedar Lake's Cross Bay) | Spiny Waterflea | 2022 | Restricted Access |
| Lake Manitoba | Zebra Mussel | 2021 | Control Zone |
| Lake of the Woods (MB portion i.e., Buffalo Bay) | Spiny Waterflea | 1990s | Control Zone |
| Lake Winnipeg | Zebra Mussel | 2013 | Control Zone |
| Spiny Waterflea | 2011 | Control Zone | |
| Nelson River | Zebra Mussel | 2019 | Control Zone |
| Nelson River (specifically Playgreen Lake) | Spiny Waterflea | 2014 | Control Zone |
| Red River | Zebra Mussel | 2015 | Control Zone |
| Saskatchewan River (downstream of the Grand Rapids Generating Station to its entrance into Lake Winnipeg) | Spiny Waterflea | 2012 | Control Zone |
| Zebra Mussel | 2019 | Control Zone | |
| Shoal Lake (in southeast MB on MB/ON border) | Spiny Waterflea | 2018 | Control Zone |
| St. Malo Reservoir | Zebra Mussel | 2024 | Restricted Access |
| Walker Lake | Spiny Waterflea | 2022 | Control Zone |
| White Lake | Black Algae | 2003 | Control Zone |
| Winnipeg River (including all lakes, rivers, channels and other water bodies through which the Winnipeg River passes; e.g., Lee River, Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa Channel) | Spiny Waterflea | 2009 | Control Zone |
| Of Note: | |||
| Lake of the Woods (Ontario portion) | Spiny Waterflea | 1995 | See Ontario government |
| Rusty Crayfish | See Ontario government | ||
| Lake of the Woods (U.S. portion) | Zebra Mussel | 2019 | See Minnesota government |
| Winnipeg River (Ontario portion) | Spiny Waterflea | Approx. 2009 | See Ontario government |
Recent Confirmed AIS Detections
2024
Location: St. Malo Reservoir
AIS: Zebra Mussels
Year Detected: 2024
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: Restrict Access
2022
Location: Ebb and Flow Lake (a bay located on the west side of Lake Manitoba; Southern Manitoba)
AIS: Zebra Mussels
Year Detected: 2022
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: TBA
Location: Echimamish River (runs east-west between the Hayes River and the Nelson River in northern Manitoba)
AIS: Zebra Mussels
Year Detected: 2022
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: The Echimamish River is a tributary of the Nelson River and that portion up to the first impassable barrier is part of the Nelson River Control Zone.
Location: Foot Print Lake (located immediately north of Cedar Lake; Central Manitoba)
AIS: Spiny Waterflea
Year Detected: 2022
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: Restricted Access
Location: Walker Lake (flows into Cross Lake/Nelson River)
AIS: Spiny Waterflea
Year Detected: 2022
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: Walker Lake is part of the Nelson River Control Zone.
2021
Location: Cross Bay portion of Cedar Lake (Central Manitoba)
AIS: Zebra Mussels
Year Detected: 2015; re-confirmed in 2021
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: Saskatchewan / Cedar Lake Control Zone
Location: Lake Manitoba
AIS: Zebra Mussels
Year Detected: 2021
Cause of Invasion: Human-mediated transport
AIS Requirement: Designated with restricted access to prevent the spread of zebra mussels to other water bodies. As such, decontamination is required before placing watercraft and water-related equipment used in Lake Manitoba into another water body.
Protecting Upstream Areas from an AIS Invasion
Zebra mussels and spiny waterflea cannot move against the natural flow of water. However, AIS can gain access to upstream areas by human transport.
Your actions can prevent upstream AIS invasions. Always start in an upstream area of a water body and end in a downstream area.
For example, if traveling within Cedar Lake always move from a non-invaded area (i.e., Cedar Lake proper) and end in the invaded area (i.e., Cross Bay portion of Cedar Lake). This action will prevent the human transport of AIS upstream into Cedar Lake proper and the Saskatchewan River.
Restricted Access
Restricted access signs (as shown below) are placed at access points of invaded water bodies that are not yet designated as AIS Control Zone. The signs are to notify surface water users of this decontamination requirement.
Need Help?
The open-water season, winter (ice-covered) season and float plane operators checklists are resources that can help you comply with AIS requirements.