Woodbury Moves to Remove Invasive Goldfish
City officials secured a state permit to use rotenone to eradicate goldfish that established a population in a Woodbury stormwater pond linked to Powers Lake.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Aquariums
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Woodbury city officials obtained a state permit to use rotenone to eradicate goldfish released into a stormwater pond connected to Powers Lake. The district's notice describing the case was released on August 14, 2026.
Why it matters
Goldfish stir up sediment and release phosphorus, which can fuel algae blooms in local waters. Minnesota law classifies releasing goldfish into public waters as illegal fish stocking, making the release a violation as well as an ecological concern for Woodbury residents.
Goldfish can grow up to 6 pounds, and experimental research shows they increase suspended mineral particles in water by up to 81 percent. The source does not say how many goldfish were removed or how large the pond population had grown.
The players
Woodbury City Government
The city of Woodbury, Minnesota, is the municipal body that obtained the state permit and is pursuing goldfish eradication to protect water quality in Powers Lake.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The state agency responsible for managing Minnesota's fish and waterways, which discourages rotenone use and oversees the permitting process.
The details
Crews attempted to remove goldfish from the stormwater pond using sonar, electrofishing, and baited box nets before turning to rotenone, a fish toxicant derived from tropical plant roots that enters fish through their gills. Application requires written agreement from every shoreline owner, and Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources discourages its use.
Timeline
1878-1893: The U.S. Fish Commission distributed goldfish to 37 states.
Summer 2017: A university research team conducted a 61-day tank experiment on goldfish effects.
2019 and 2021: Alum treatments were performed at Keller Lake.
July 8, 2026: The district issued a notice regarding goldfish pond migration risk.
August 14, 2026: The district released a public notice describing the Woodbury case.
Historical Context
The U.S. Fish Commission distributed goldfish to 37 states between 1878 and 1893, and Woodbury's current eradication effort is a local consequence of that nationwide spread. Released pet goldfish continue to establish populations in waters across the Twin Cities region.
Residents who keep goldfish should never release them into ponds, lakes, or other public waters, since doing so is illegal under Minnesota law. Shoreline owners around affected Woodbury waters may be asked to agree in writing before any rotenone treatment proceeds.
The takeaway
Releasing a pet fish into local water can cause lasting ecological damage that costs cities money to undo. Pet owners who no longer want their goldfish should return them to a store or adoption program rather than releasing them outdoors.
Further reading
For more on how pet releases affect local waters, see Aquariums coverage for Woodbury.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ECOticias.
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