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Minnesota spends millions of dollars every year to fight invasive species — like zebra mussels and starry stonewort — in the state's lakes and waterways. But the damaging plants and animals continue to spread.

Aquatic invasive species are notoriously tricky to identify, and often look an awful lot like similar species native to a lake. 

Minnesota worries what comes next

Measuring in Minnesota lakes is complicated, inconclusive

That makes it especially difficult for people to correctly identify when an invasion is happening. Can you identify the invasives -- and their near-doppelganger native species counterparts?

Read more about the efforts to battle aquatic invaders in Minnesota lakes:

In battle against aquatic invaders, it's protection vs. access

Are counties' efforts to fight aquatic invasives working?

5 things you should know

Environmental News

Water

NewsPartners

Elizabeth Dunbar

Author

Cody Nelson

Can you identify the invasives — and their near-doppelganger native species counterparts?

One species is native to Minnesota, the other is invasive.

Quiz: Can you identify the invasive?

Go Deeper.

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