LINCOLN – Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area, located southeast of Chambers in southern Holt County, is closed to public access until further notice.
The closure by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is necessary because of an infestation of the invasive aquatic plant Eurasian watermilfoil.
Eurasian watermilfoil can spread rapidly because a single fragment of stem or leaf can take root and form a new colony, and plants can grow up to 2 inches per day. Once established, the plant can form dense surface mats that interfere with boating, fishing, swimming and other forms of recreation. Plant fragments can be transported on boats, trailers and other aquatic sporting equipment, so the closure is necessary to assure that fragments are not transported to other water bodies.
Nebraska Game and Parks has developed a plan to eradicate Eurasian watermilfoil from Goose Lake, with a total lake chemical treatment scheduled for mid-April. Eradication has been successful for several lakes in other states. The area will reopen once the risk of transporting plant fragments to other areas has been reduced to an acceptable level.
All water users are reminded to clean, drain, and dry their equipment – such as boats, trailers, waders and decoys – when they leave any body of water to prevent the spread of invasive species.
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