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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.