ANGOLA, Ind. (AP) _ The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says an invasive algae species has been confirmed for the first time in a northeastern Indiana lake.

It says the algae called starry stonewort was found last week in Lake James. The DNR’s aquatic invasive species coordinator, Eric Fischer, says starry stonewort now has been confirmed in at least 12 lakes in Indiana, mostly in the northeastern part of the state.

He tells The (Fort Wayne) News-Sentinel that starry stonewort grows into dense masses that can cover native plants and fish nesting areas. That can kill off native plants, disrupting the ecosystem for fish and other creatures that depend on them, and prevent fish from building nests to spawn.

Lake James, located about 45 miles north of Fort Wayne, borders Pokagon State Park.