The Lake Champlain Basin Program is confirming the 51st invasive species has entered Lake Champlain.
Boat launch stewards with the Lake Champlain Basin Program noted this week that nearly all fishing boats returning to the Shelburne Bay and Converse Bay launches were infested with the Fishhook Waterflea, a native of Eurasia.
It is considered an aggressive predator of plankton, a critical food for native species in the lake. There is no risk to human health but the creature fouls fishing gear and could impact the native species food web.
There are no known ways to eliminate the Fishhook Waterflea once it is established in a waterbody and officials are emphasizing the importance of cleaning, draining and drying all vessels and gear that enter and leave waterways.