GREAT SACANDAGA LAKE — State Department of Environmental Conservation officials said Thursday that evidence of an aquatic invasive species known as the “spiny water flea” has been discovered in the Great Sacandaga Lake, its first known appearance in an inland body of water in the state.

DEC spokesman David Winchell said the spiny flea isn’t a flea at all but a crustacean, similar to a tiny shrimp, native to Europe and Asia.

He said the spiny flea has no natural predators in North American lakes to check its population growth. He said local water animals also have not evolved to compete with the spiny flea for food and may not react well to being forced to.

“We know in some areas, because of its ability to rapidly reproduce, they can get to levels where they are impacting food sources for fish populations,” Winchell said.

The spiny water flea feeds on tiny crustaceans and other zooplankton, putting it in direct competition with fish and other native aquatic organisms.

DEC officials said the species normally thrives in warmer water than the Great Sacandaga and it remains to be seen how rapidly the species will multiply. In warmer temperatures water fleas can hatch, grow to maturity and lay eggs in as few as two weeks. The creatures’ eggs can also remain in a dormant state for years before hatching, hindering efforts to slow their spread.

“One of the big problems is there is no known control method at this time. There’s really nothing we can do about their presence there,” Winchell said. “We’re just trying to inform people of their presence so they won’t transport them to other waters.”

According to state officials, the spiny water flea was first found in the Great Lakes in 1984, when one was discovered in Lake Huron. Scientists have guessed the crustacean may have hitched a ride on oceangoing ships and then wound up in the lake thanks to ballast water discharges.

Officials warned fishing enthusiasts that the tail spines of the spiny water flea hook on fishing lines and can foul fishing gear. The fleas do not, however, bite.

DEC speculates the adults, larvae, or eggs may have been brought to the Great Sacandaga Lake by bait bucket, bilge water, live well, boat, canoe, kayak, trailer or fishing equipment.

DEC recommended anglers clean, dry and disinfect all fishing equipment, particularly live wells and bait wells in boats, to help prevent the spread of spiny fleas.

Jack Smith, secretary for the Great Sacandaga Lake Fisheries Federation, said the new emphasis on cleaning will be an added chore for fishermen like himself, but he’ll gladly do it to keep enjoying the lake. Smith said during fishing season he typically fishes three to four times a week and he’s afraid the spiny flea could reduce the bass, walleye and trout populations.

“They’re going to take food away from the little fish, and that could be a problem,” Smith said.

More information on invasive species and how to help stop their spread is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/265.html.