(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) Division of Agriculture will be conducting work on two aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Alexander Creek drainage 2026 through at least 2027.

ADF&G has been conducting invasive northern pike suppression in Alexander Creek since 2011. To date, this work has been limited to the side sloughs along the creek during the month of May. Beginning in August 2026, suppression efforts will be expanding into Sucker Lake. Sucker Lake is comprised of three lobes: Sucker North, Sucker West, and Sucker South. Staff will be applying Rotenone, a fish pesticide, to Sucker North and Sucker West to remove as many northern pike as possible. Sucker South will not be treated but will be gillnetted in late fall. All lobes will receive netting effort in subsequent years. Beginning in spring 2027, netting will be conducted in Alexander Lake.

Elodea spp., Alaska’s only known aquatic invasive plant, was discovered in Alexander Lake in 2014, and spread to Sucker Lake in 2016. ADNR has been conducting treatments to eradicate Elodea in these two lakes since 2019. Treatments will resume in mid-June in both Alexander Lake and Sucker Lake and will occur several times through August. Treatments have resulted in excellent progress, with full eradication as the goal in both lake systems.

Elodea can become entangled on plane rudders and boat propellors, and one small fragment of the plant can set roots and establish new infestations in other waterbodies. Additionally, during this time, activities causing the plant to fragment would negate treatment efforts. Because of this, both ADNR and ADF&G recommend people minimize activity at these two lakes from mid-May through mid-September in 2026 and 2027.

Please minimize activity at Alexander and Sucker Lakes:

May 15 - September 15, 2026
May 15 - September 15, 2027

To report an invasive species, please use the online reporter or call 1-877-INVASIV.

#26-4033