In the summer of 2003, Blue Water Science (St. Paul) conducted a plant survey in the 4 PGOLID lakes. This survey is how we originally found Curly-leaf pondweed. In 2010, PGOLID hired a contractor to do another survey to compare to the 2003 results. This survey was also done to see if any new invasive species are present in the PGOLID lakes. The results of this survey showed some additional Curly-leaf pondweed, but no other invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil or Eurasian flowering rush.
In the summer of 2015, RMB Environmental Laboratories conducted a plant survey in Echo Bay of Fish Lake. This is the last undeveloped shoreline in PGOLID, and there has been development pressure there before. The survey was conducted to document the current pristine conditions of Echo Bay. Echo Bay is a very important area, biologically, for Pelican and Fish Lakes. It is where much of the fish spawning in the group of lakes occurs, and provides wildlife habitat such as nesting sites for loons.