Henry's Lake, Freemont County

Rake survey yeilds native aquatic plants Henry's Lake in Freemont County, Idaho, is one of the most famous trout fisheries in the country. The lake's ability to support this abundance of fish depends on a healthy aquatic community. On September 11, 2007 the Fremont County Weed Superintendent, Idaho Fish and Game, the Bonneville County Weed Superintendent and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) surveyed Henrys Lake for Eurasian watermilfoil and other aquatic nuisance species. A healthy native plant community was found with NO exotic aquatic plants. The native plants that were found included the healthiest Northern watermilfoil that we’ve ever seen, coontail, common waterweed, fern-leaf pondweed, white-stem pondweed, Richardsons pondweed and nitella.

The aquatic plant community appears to be incredibly productive and with every sample collected hundreds of shrimp were observed. This is encouraging but it also highlights the urgent need for the development of a program to keep invasive aquatic species out of the lake. Fremont County is currently developing a program that will protect this great resource into the future.

There are several invasive aquatic plant species that directly threaten the lake, including Eurasian watermilfoil and curlyleaf pondweed. The introduction of invasive animals such as zebra and quagga mussels would be devastating to this system and every effort should be made to prevent their introduction. If lake residents and lake users are always on the lookout for these organisms it greatly improves the chances of catching infestations early. Please report any suspicious aquatic plants or mussels to your local weed superintendant or ISDA.

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Photos of the Henry's Lake Aquatic Weed Survey

Henry's Lake, Idaho
Henry's Lake, 2007 		Henry's Lake, Idaho
Henry's Lake, Idaho

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Aquatic Species Found in Henry's Lake

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Invasive Species Watch List

Ponds, lakes and streams in this area may be at risk of invasion by the following aquatic or riparian weeds. If you think you have detected these or any other invasive weeds, contact Bryce Fowler of Freemont County Noxious Weed Control at (208) 624-3102.