Loon Lake Tests Positive for Spiny Waterfleas

Yesterday I received the 2014 Invading Species Report. As a participant for several years in Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program under the guidance of the OFAH and the MNR, I have collected samples of lake water from our lake and submitted them to be tested for Spiny Waterfleas and for Zebra Mussels.

The report for 2014 shows that our lake recently tested positive for Spiny Waterfleas in all three locations sampled.

Here is a link to the report where you will find information about Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program as well as our test results under "Loon Lake - Haliburton - Dudley":

2014-Invading-Species-Watch-Program-Annual-Report

And here is a link to Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program Website where there is more information:

Ontario's Invading Species Awareness Program


And here is a link for specific information about the Spiny Waterflea, including a Factsheet for downloading:

Spiny Water Flea


The Spiny Waterflea is likely to have entered Loon Lake from contaminated boating equipment or fishing gear that came from an infected lake. The entry point could very well have been at our public landing. 

Unfortunately once established, the Spiny Waterfleas are impossible to control and they do not die off after a period of time.  

It's my understanding that Spiny Waterfleas do not generally affect humans. And unless Spiny Waterfleas are targeted using plankton haul nets (what I use for gathering samples), or observed by anglers on their fishing lines, most lake users would not even see the Spiny Waterfleas.

As I obtain more information, I will post it on this Blog.

I have another sampling scheduled for the week of August 1, 2015.

I urge all residents and cottagers to educate themselves and become involved in taking steps to not only prevent further spreading of this species to other lakes but to prevent other invading species from entering our lake from other sources.