Turning Discovery into Learning

Posted on by sallenba

An invasive fish species recently detected in Lake Joanis is creating an opportunity for UW-Stevens Point students to take part in real-world research while helping scientists better understand and respond to the potential threat.

Side view of a small mottled brown round goby being held between fingers, showing its large eye, broad head, large mouth, and brown-gold coloration.
Close-up of a round goby. Round gobies have a blunt head, large eyes and a relatively large mouth. Their coloration can range from gray to mottled brown, helping them blend into rocky and muddy bottom habitats.

Round gobies were recently found in Lake Joanis, the 24-acre lake located within Schmeeckle Reserve on the UW-Stevens Point campus. Faculty and staff in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) are working collaboratively with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to monitor the lake, determine the extent of round gobies in the lake, identify key management aspects of their biology, including their age, diets, and specific locations, and identify appropriate next steps.

Round gobies are an invasive species that can compete with native fish for food and habitat and eat the eggs and young of other fish. Once established, they are extremely difficult to eradicate.

“This is a serious invasive species, and we need to understand what this detection means for Lake Joanis,” said Brian Sloss, dean of the College of Natural Resources. “At the same time, it provides a real-world learning opportunity for our students. They can be involved in the research and monitoring process and see firsthand how natural resource professionals respond to an emerging issue. We also have an opportunity to use this to educate our broader community about invasive species and the steps all of us can take to protect Wisconsin’s waters.”

Through collaboration with the DNR, UW-Stevens Point students may have opportunities to participate in monitoring, research, and educational efforts surrounding the detection. The experience can help students connect coursework with the practical work of fisheries and aquatic resource management while contributing to understanding an issue affecting Wisconsin waterways.

Preventing the movement of invasive species is one of the most effective ways people can protect Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers. Boaters, anglers, and other water users should:

  • Inspect boats, trailers, fishing equipment, and other gear for plants, animals, and mud before leaving the water.
  • Remove all attached plants, animals and mud.
  • Drain water from boats, motors, live wells, bait buckets, and other equipment.
  • Never move live fish or other aquatic organisms from one waterbody to another.
  • Never release unused bait into the water.
  • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash or as directed by local regulations.
  • Dry equipment thoroughly before using it in another waterbody.

Round gobies are a restricted species in Wisconsin, meaning live specimens cannot legally be transported, transferred, or introduced in the state.

The discovery in Lake Joanis demonstrates why early detection and community awareness matter. For UW-Stevens Point, it also brings an important conservation issue directly to campus, giving students the opportunity to learn from it, contribute to the science, and see the impact their future work can have on Wisconsin’s natural resources.

Underwater view of a shallow stream or lake bottom with sand, sediment, aquatic vegetation, and several small fish near the substrate.
Round gobies are bottom-dwelling fish that occupy a variety of habitats, including rocky, sandy and vegetated areas.
A small round goby being held over a person's hand while its fins and underside are examined. The fish has a slender mottled-brown body and translucent fins.
A captured round goby being examined for identification. One of the most reliable features for distinguishing a round goby is its single, fused pelvic fin, which forms a suction-cup-like structure on the underside of the fish.
Close-up of a small mottled brown round goby being held between a person's fingers, showing its large eyes, blunt head, fins, and distinctive dark spot near the base of the dorsal fin.
Round goby, an invasive fish species. The fish’s mottled brown coloration and the distinctive dark spot at the base of the first dorsal fin are characteristic of round gobies.