Whether you’re a lake association member, natural resource professional, or curious Minnesotan, the Aquatic Invasive Species Identification Guide for Minnesota is your essential field companion for understanding what’s living beneath the surface. This full-color guide helps you identify high priority aquatic invasive species for early detection in Minnesota and their native lookalikes across plants, invertebrates, and fish. Each page features clear photographs, easy-to-follow ID keys, and distribution maps using the latest data.
Developed by experts from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center and University of Minnesota Extension, this 4th edition provides the most current science and guidance for identifying and reporting AIS in our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Compact, practical, and science-based, this guide empowers everyone - from boaters to biologists - to help protect the waters that define Minnesota.
The book was updated in 2025. There are three ways for you to access it:
- View a PDF version online that you can also download and print.
- Purchase the Guidebook through the University of Minnesota Bookstore. If you purchase a book, it will be printed in full color on waterproof, durable paper.
- Become an AIS Detector and get the book — plus tons of hands-on training! — through the program.
In 2018, the ID Guide was given a Silver award from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals for Outstanding Educational Materials!
