Muskrat Watershed Council - MWC

Muskrat Watershed Council - MWC Informed by science, MWC aims to engage the community for healthy land, water and quality of life for future generations on the Muskrat Watershed.

🌊 Protect Our Lakes: Spiny Water Fleas in Ontario 🦐A recent article about spiny water fleas found in several Algonquin P...
03/29/2026

🌊 Protect Our Lakes: Spiny Water Fleas in Ontario 🦐
A recent article about spiny water fleas found in several Algonquin Park lakes has raised important questions about potential impacts on our local waterways. Currently, the Muskrat Watershed has no known reports of this invasive species—and keeping it that way is critical.
Spiny water fleas (Bythotrephes longimanus) are tiny but harmful invaders that disrupt aquatic food webs, reduce native zooplankton, and affect fish populations. They also cause frustration for anglers by clumping on fishing lines and equipment.
🚫 Once established, they cannot be removed - prevention is our best defense.
✅ You can help by remembering to: • Clean boats, trailers, and gear
• Drain all water from bilges, bait buckets, and live wells
• Dry equipment completely before entering another lake
• Dispose of bait away from shorelines
Small actions make a big difference. By staying informed and practicing responsible boating and fishing, we can help protect our watershed and Ontario’s lakes for future generations.
🔗 Learn more (including photos):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/spiny-and-fishhook-water-flea


Photo: Andrea L. Jaeger Miehls, Michigan State University

Last week was Invasive Species week, check out this article from Renfrew County on this important topic.
03/01/2026

Last week was Invasive Species week, check out this article from Renfrew County on this important topic.

Invasive species may be alien to the local environment- but they don't come from outer space! They were transp...

03/01/2026

Species Spotlight: Water Soldier

Water soldier looks like an aloe plant, spider plant, or the top of a pineapple! To prevent its spread, learn how to identify it and take action by slowing down when boating through affected areas and don’t forget to clean your recreational equipment—boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards—after each use.

Learn more about aquatic plants in FOCA's Guide, here: https://foca.on.ca/aquatic-plants/

02/27/2026

Find it. Report it. Monitor it. Prevent the Spread.

If you find an invasive species, call the Invading Species hotline at 1-800-563-7711 or visit https://www.invadingspecies.com/

01/22/2026

By popular demand, the deadline to apply for the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund has been extended by one week!

Applications must now be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m., January 30, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit www.ontariophragmitesaction.ca.

Thanks to an investment by Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources to develop the Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program, the Nature Conservancy of Canada () and the Invasive Species Centre are leading Ontario’s largest habitat restoration program and tackling one of Canada’s worst invasive species.

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P. O. Box 317
Cobden, ON
K0J1K0

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