European Frogbit Running Wild in Michigan

If you're out boating this weekend in Michigan, be on the lookout for European Frogbit (which I've decided is my alias when I attend the Michigan Renaissance Festival).

Actually, European Frogbit is an invasive species of water plant, brought to Canada in the 1930s as an ornamental plant. According to the Detroit Free Press, it's gotten WAY out of hand. It showed up in northern New York in 1974 and now it's in Michigan. It's spread from southeast Michigan all the way to the Grand River near Grand Haven. The DNR wants it OUT of Michigan.

This is (one of the reasons) why the Michigan DNR came up with new rules for boating earlier this year. They want you to clean off your boat hull after being in the water, to help stop the spread of European Frogbit. This plant grows thick enough to tangle fishing lines, foul up your boat motor and make it tough for ducks and even bigger fish to swim. If you see some of this, contact the DNR.

Here's the story.

Here's a a web page from the Michigan DNR with photos and tips on how to report.