LARAMIE – Thanks to the awareness of local anglers, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has verified the presence of New Zealand mudsnails in Gelatt Lake and Wheatland Reservoir #3 near Laramie.
The initial detection at Gellat Lake occurred in late April while a member of the public was angling and noticed small black dots covering the vegetation and rocks. Following the report, samples were taken and sent to the University of Wyoming for confirmation. Similarly, at Wheatland Reservoir #3, an angler report came in earlier this summer and Game and Fish staff confirmed the presence of New Zealand mudsnails on Monday.
These confirmations mark the second and third waters in the region with this species, in addition to Alsop Lake which was detected in August 2023.
Many aquatic invasive species (AIS), including New Zealand mudsnails, are transported by people on equipment, vehicles and pets that have not been cleaned, drained or dried. They can burrow into the fabric of waders and wading boots, hide in mud stuck to trailer tires and camp out in any undrained water from all types of watercraft.
“In the Laramie valley, anglers often fish multiple plains lakes in a day. If gear like wading boots are not properly cleaned, there’s a real risk of spreading AIS between all of them,” says Regional Fisheries Supervisor Bobby Compton. As anglers pursue fantastic fishing opportunities in these lakes, please remember to clean, drain and dry all gear prior to moving to another water, especially those known to have AIS in them. The integrity of our fisheries relies on the vigilance of everyone who uses these waters.
New Zealand mudsnails are a small aquatic invasive snail native to, you guessed it, New Zealand. According to Regional AIS Specialist Nick Edwards, “These snails threaten our fisheries because they can rapidly self-reproduce, outcompete native species for resources and can affect the nutrients and chemistry of the water.” New Zealand mudsnails are not a food source for fish as they are low in nutrients and can pass through a fish’s digestive system unharmed. Once introduced into a body of water, these snails are functionally impossible to remove.
The Wyoming Game and Fish appreciates all reports of suspected AIS and encourages everyone using Wyoming waters to clean, drain and dry their gear, every time. To learn more about AIS, Game and Fish efforts to stop the spread, or how to get your watercraft inspected, visit our AIS Prevention webpage.
Please contact Nick Edwards at nick.edwards1@wyo.gov with reports and questions concerning AIS in the Laramie Region.
