Aside from the annoying itching, it's harmless to humans. Learn more about swimmer's itch and how to avoid getting it at the Minnesota DNR's Web site . Aquatic plant communities provide critical fish and wildlife habitat. Native emergent plants are natural shoreline stabilizers because they reduce wave action that can erode shores, and act as filters to reduce nutrient runoff into the lake. Emergent plants also provide important cover, nesting and feeding areas for fish and wildlife.
Fish also seek cover in beds of muskgrass and bushy pondweed.
Eurasian milfoil , however, is an exotic species and thus causes its own set of problems. Bushy pondweed is one of the most important plants for waterfowl, which consume the stems, leaves and seeds of the plant. The tubers and foliage of water celery are a favorite food of canvasback ducks. Seeds of all of the pondweeds are also eaten by waterfowl and the leaves may be grazed by muskrat, deer and beaver. Therefore, any removal of these plants should be done in a manner that limits the disturbance to the overall plant community.