Summer in much of the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin means getting out on the water, whether fishing, swimming or taking any kind of watercraft out for some quality time.

But when enjoying the numerous natural waterways of the region, the public should keep an eye out for other not-so-welcome users of the U.P.’s lakes, rivers and streams — invasive species.

The Michigan Invasive Species Program has asked for help in identifying and reporting aquatic invasive species that may have made their way into the area.

Early detection of new or emerging invasive species, like those on Michigan’s Watch List, greatly improves chances to slow their spread or possibly eradicate a population, the state Department of Natural Resources advises in a news release.

The 18 aquatic invasive species on Michigan’s Watch List have been identified as posing an immediate or potential threat to Michigan’s economy, environment or human health. These species have either never been confirmed in the wild in Michigan or have a limited known distribution. The list includes 10 aquatic plants, five fish, two crayfish and the New Zealand mudsnail, the DNR states.

Populations of “watch list” aquatic species — including yellow floating heart, water lettuce, parrot feather and red swamp crayfish — have been detected in Michigan through people who noticed something unusual in the water, took photographs and reported what they found.

Information about watch list species, including identifying characteristics, photos and illustrations, can be found on the Watch List webpage, https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report/watchlist?utm_campaign=ais+edr+bioblitz25&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery.

Sightings of aquatic plants on the watch list can be reported year-round to EGLE’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program, egle-wrd-aip@michigan.gov. All watch list species can be reported through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network’s website or smartphone app, found at MISIN.MSU.edu.

To promote this effort, the Michigan Clean Water Corps will host its first-ever statewide aquatic invasive species BioBlitz starting Saturday through July 6.

Volunteers are asked to use the iNaturalist app to document suspected aquatic invasive plants and animals across Michigan’s lakes, rivers, wetlands and streams. Boaters, paddlers, anglers, nature lovers and anyone interested in contributing to invasive species early detection can simply snap photos of aquatic species they encounter, the DNR states. The MiCorps team of experts, along with the iNaturalist user community, then can help with identification.

How to get involved —

— Join the project: Go to the MiCorps website or find the MiCorps AIS Detection BioBlitz on iNaturalist, https://www.micorps.net/events/micorps-aquatic-invasive-species-detection-blitz/?utm_campaign=ais+edr+bioblitz25&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=govdelivery.

— Snap and upload: Upload photos of aquatic species while enjoying Michigan’s waters.

— Contribute to science: These observations help experts monitor and manage invasive species.

All confirmed reports of aquatic invasive species will be communicated to EGLE and MISIN by MiCorps staff.

Reports of watch list species are investigated by the Michigan Invasive Species Program, a joint effort of the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; and Natural Resources. When a report is confirmed as positive, staff assess the risk posed by the invading species, review response options and, if feasible, plan and implement a response.

Smaller discoveries, such as those found in private ponds, may provide the opportunity to eradicate the plant from the area entirely. For watch list aquatic plants, eradication is usually the goal when feasible. Response actions often require one to two years of treatment, followed by three years of post-treatment monitoring to ensure regrowth doesn’t occur.

To date, 11 populations of aquatic invasive plants on the watch list have been eradicated. Several additional locations are nearing eradication status, as regrowth hasn’t been observed for consecutive years after treatment, the DNR stated.