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Recent surveys by the PFBC and partner organizations have detected New Zealand mudsnails, roughly the size of a match head, in several popular cold-water trout fisheries in central and eastern Pennsylvania. In some infested waters, New Zealand Mudsnails have the potential to reach densities of hundreds or even thousands of snails per square foot. These snails are not harmful to humans but can compete with and negatively impact native freshwater invertebrate species, such as other snails and aquatic insects.

Until recently, New Zealand Mudsnails were known to occur only in Lake Erie, Erie County; Spring Creek and Bald Eagle Creek, Centre County; and the Little Lehigh Creek in Lehigh and Berks counties. Surveys during 2020 revealed populations of snails in Trindle Spring Run, Cumberland County; Codorus Creek, York County; and Valley Creek, Chester County; prompting expanded surveys. Members of the public who observe suspected New Zealand Mudsnails or other aquatic invasive species can report sightings of aquatic invasive species to the PFBC using its online form.

Northern snakeheads can be confused with native Pennsylvania species like the Bowfin and Burbot. For help telling them apart, refer to various identification guides.

An $800,000 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will support a two-year effort to control and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species across Pennsylvania, with an emphasis on the Lake Erie Basin. The funding, through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, supports efforts to implement Pennsylvania’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan. It will directly support nine field projects to prevent or control the spread of aquatic invasive species, including: targeted control of Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in Pymatuning Lake; the removal of red-eared slider turtles from Presque Isle Bay; and surveys of Natural Heritage Areas within the Lake Erie watershed.

Prepared by: Portland State University, Center for Lakes and Reservoirs

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has issued a strong advisory to encourage anglers who catch invasive Northern Snakeheads in the lower Susquehanna River, and elsewhere in the Commonwealth, to report and dispose of any fish caught. This advisory follows multiple Northern Snakehead captures in Conowingo Reservoir by anglers and natural resource agency biologists this summer, including the first evidence of Northern Snakehead reproduction in the reservoir.

Learn how to identify invasive Phragmites, how it differs from the native form, and information about its distribution and biological traits which contribute to its spread.

How do Great Lakes water levels affect expansion and management? This geonarrative aims to provide land managers, decision makers, and the public with a historical perspective on the influence of water levels on Phragmites expansion and to identify Phragmites populations best suited for management in high water.
See also: Geonarratives for all USGS geonarrative / story map resources

See also: Plants: Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers, and House Plants Fact Sheets for more resources

See also: Ecological Risk Screening Summaries for more species summaries

See also: Pest and Disease Factsheets for more fact sheets.