Over 10 years of researching and controlling swimmer’s itch at Higgins Lake.
Our Mission Statement: To explore and understand the causes of swimmer’s itch and use science-based, humane, and environmentally-sound methods to significantly reduce swimmer’s itch.
Our Success Story: HLSIO realizes that currently there is no known control program or technology that can totally eliminate swimmer’s itch. Since 2015, Higgins Lake has seen a significant reduction in the swimmer’s itch causing parasites in the lake. A 2024 published paper of research sponsored by HLSIO shows our management of mergansers greatly reduces swimmer’s itch.
Our Future: HLSIO will continue to work with our partners to manage merganser ducks and to assess potential other waterfowl and snail species that may contribute to swimmer’s itch. In addition we will support research into swimmer’s itch occurrence in relation to human and waterfowl activities.
Please join us for our annual fundraising dinner at Witt’s Barn on August 14, 2025. Dinner will be provided by Fred’s of Roscommon and entertainment byTaylor Perry. See our dinner poster for more information. Dinner Flyer.