Invasive Species

Pike Lake is Not Immune to Invasive Species

Unfortunately, Pike Lake is not immune to invasive species. In recent years, two aquatic invasive species, Zebra Mussels and Eurasian Watermilfoil, have been confimed in the lake. On land, invasive plants such as Garlic Mustard, Buckhorn and Wild Parsnip have also been found in the surrounding area. Information on these specific species can be found below.

Early detection and monitoring are important tools in managing invasive species. Residents and cottagers can play an important role by learning to recognize invasive species and reporting new observations to the lake steward at info@pikelake.ca

Get Involved Through Citizen Science

Everyone can contribute to the health of Pike Lake. Citizen science programs help researchers and conservation authorities better understand where invasive species are occurring and how they are spreading.

One of the easiest ways to participate is through EDDMapS or iNaturalist, a free mobile app and website that allows users to photograph and record plants, animals, fungi, and insects. Observations are reviewed by the research community including the Invasive Species Centre and contribute to biodiversity and invasive species databases used by scientist and conservation organizations. Recording your observations is a simple way to help monitor the health of Pike Lake and its watershed.

Other Things You Can Do

Avoid transporting plants, animals, or water between lakes.
Clean, Drain and Dry boats and equipment before entering or leaving the lake.
Remove invasive plants carefully and follow recommended disposal practices.
Share information with neighbours and help raise awareness.

Helpful Resources

For further information on invasive species found across Ontario, visit the Invasive Species Centre Website which provides identification guides, reporting tools, and managment information. You can access it here.

The Ontario Invasive Plant Council also offers excellent resources on invasive plants, including fact sheets and best managment practices. has a website with lots of great information. It can be found here.

Protecting Pike Lake is a shared responsibility. By staying informed and participating in citizen science, residents can help detect new invasive species early and support the long-term health and biodiversity of the lake.

Pike Lake Community Association Eurasian Watermilfoil Mapping Project

Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM), an invasive aquatic plant, has been identified in several areas of Pike Lake and was highlighted as a concern in the 2011 Pike Lake Handbook. EWM is an invasive aquatic plant that can crowd out native species, block recreational swimming and boating access and affect fisheries and the health of our lake. While it is too late to prevent it from entering the lake, we can take action to try and keep EWM from spreading and provide information on possible mitigation steps so that the community remains informed.

Last summer, the Board launched a first step in tackling EWM. A dedicated team of volunteers spent the summer surveying the entire lake by canoe, boat or paddle-board to identify and map where EWM has taken hold. The resulting EWM map is shown below with the areas of EWM noted in red.

Building on the 2025 survey, the Lake Steward submitted an application for a $1000 microgrant from the Invasive Species Centre on behalf of the Association. If we are successful, the grant will support drone-assisted shoreline mapping this summer (2026) and community education initiatives. The project would be led by the Lake Steward with the assistance of lake volunteers and the Granite Ridge Educational Centre. Invasive species expertise to help develop mitigation steps would be sought from the RVCA.

The information collected would provide a baseline for future monitoring and help guide stewardship and education efforts. Community feedback as well as property privacy protection would be a priority. the final digital geo-referenced map will identify EWM locations only, not individual properties. Should we be successful in receiving the microgrant, more information about the project, including the mapping approach, project partners, and timeline, will be presented at the 2026 AGM. The information will be posted here following the AGM.

If you would like to get involved or have any concerns please contact info@pikelake.ca

Simple actions our community can take:

Learning to identify Eurasian Watermilfoil and other invasive species.
Practising Clean, Drain and Dry to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Reporting observations to the lake steward and through citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist.
Volunteering to assist with future monitoring and education activities.

Eurasian Watermilfoil

While northern watermilfoil is native to lakes in our region and lake, Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive species that can grow in thick, dense mats and crowd out native species. It can be identified as it has feather-like green leaves that circle the stem in groups of four or five, and leaves have 12+ thread-like segments (the native watermilfoil usually has 11 or fewer segments).

It also can hybridise with native Watermilfoil; the hybrid can spread aggressively. It can damage boat motors, negatively impact fishing and fish populations, and increase mosquito habitat. It spreads through fragmentation - even tiny pieces breaking off in one area (for example, by a boat motor passing through) can float and lead to the plant taking root in other areas. While difficult to fully eradicate, physically pulling it up by the root and removing it from the water can hinder re-growth.

Prevent the spread of Eurasian Watermilfoil within the lake and to other water bodies:

Avoid boating through dense mats of the plant so as not to break off pieces which can spread quickly through the lake;
Ensure boat propellers and fishing gear are clean so as not to carry plant fragments to other areas;
Do not release live bait or aquarium plants in the lake;
Clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment before moving from one lake to another.

Eurasian Watermilfoil. Photo from the Invasive Species Centre

For further info on Eurasian Milfoil....

Ken Waller from Sharbot Lake was kind enough to make a presention to our 2025 AGM regarding Eurasian Milfoil and make his presentation available to us. Click here for Ken's presentation.

You can find much more information on EWM from the Ontario Invasive Species Centre by clicking here.

For help determining whether the species you are seeing is EWM or a natural occurring one and test your knowledge by clicking here.

What to do if you see invasive species

We can all be Citizen Scientists and watch out for invasive species (plants, wildlife, insects, fungi) and submit the geographic location and a photo to EDDMaps or call the Invading Species Centre at 1-800-563-7711. Please continue to report known invasives (zebra mussels, eurasian watermilfoil) as this helps monitor populations in our lake and across the region.

The NDMNRF and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters have put together reference guides, available online, for identification of invasive aquatic and terrestrial plants. Species-specific fact sheets are also available.

More information can be found at the website for the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program.

A big thank you to the PLCA members who spotted and reported sightings to the PLCA and EDDMaps (a data aggregator for invasive species for North America). Please continue to report your sightings (details and links below).

If you have any questions, please reach out to info@pikelake.ca to get in touch with our Lake Steward.

Wild Parsnip

According to the Invasive Species Centre website: "Wild parsnip, which is also known as poison parsnip, is a member of the carrot/parsley family.

It typically grows a low, spindly rosette of leaves in the first year while the root develops. In the second year it flowers on a tall stalk and then dies. The plant can form dense stands and spreads quickly in disturbed areas such as abandoned yards, waste dumps, meadows, open fields, roadsides and railway embankments.

Its seeds are easily dispersed by wind and water, and on mowing or other equipment.

Like giant hogweed and other members of the carrot family, it produces sap containing chemicals that can cause human skin to react to sunlight, resulting in intense burns, rashes or blisters."

You can read more regarding identification and safe removal by clicking here.

Picture taken on Stanleyville Road across from rural post office boxes near the Recycling Centre

Garlic Mustard

It is reported that Garlic Mustard is in our region. The link for information from the Invasive Species Centre is below.

According to a government of Ontario website: "Garlic Mustard is an invasive herb native to Europe. It was brought to North America in the early 1800s for use as an edible herb. Available in the early spring and high in vitamins A and C, it has a strong distinctive small similar to garlic. Since its arrival in North America it has escaped into the wild and is now one of Ontario's most aggressive forest invaders."

For further information: Click here

Zebra Mussels

Zebra Mussels have been identified in Pike Lake in the past couple of years. The Invasive Species Centre describes both Zebra and Quagga Mussels below:

"Zebra and quagga mussels are invasive freshwater mussels that can be found throughout Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba.

Native to the Black Sea region of Eurasia, they arrived in the Great Lakes via ballast water in the larval (veliger) stage and have spread throughout North America.

These invasive mussels filter plankton out of the water, which depletes it as a food source for native species. Large colonies can take over fish spawning areas and beaches, cutting the feet of potential swimmers. They also clog water intake lines because of their dense colonies. Zebra and quagga mussels can reduce water quality as they can increase the presence of toxic algal blooms, which can have health impacts on native wildlife.

They latch on to boats and can be easily spread between water bodies. Ensure that all plants, animals, and mud are removed from boats and trailers before leaving an area to help prevent the spread of aquatic invaders."

Further information can be found here.

Pic taken on the swimming ladder

at the Cook Cottage.