From B.A.S.S. Times, Volume 41, January 2011:

Lansing Michigan – Michigan resource managers and independent researchers are searching for a way to control "Starry Stonewart", yet another alga that is degrading fisheries. This rooted exotic plant that resembles native chara first was noted in the State during the 1980's, but it only recently seems to have hit critical mass as it crowds out native vegatation.

"It's absolutely, hands down, without question the most aggressive plant we've ever seen," said Doug Pulluman of Flint's Aquest Corporation, adding that it can grow up to 8 feet tall. "We've found it everywhere, from Ludington to southeastern Michigan to central parts of the State."

It's believed to be in more than 90 inland lakes as well as spreading along the northern coast of Lake Michigan where it is moving closer to shore.

"We began to see the fish still staying in the same area but moving closer and closer to shore, explained Gary Crawford from Environmental Consulting and Technology in Ann Arbor. "Some of the deeper water habitats that would support bass and the larger bluegills….were gone."

This invader, native to England, likely became established through the aquarium trade and, experts suspect, waterfolw helped it spread from lake to lake.