Freshwater Jellyfish Spotted in Michigan Lake [VIDEO]

Jellyfish in Michigan?

WZZM-13 reports that campers in the Newaygo area spotted freshwater jellyfish in Diamond Lake over Labor Day Weekend. 

Timothy Smith of Grand Haven told WZZM-13 he was kayaking when he spotted the schools of jellyfish:

I was shocked. You don't expect jellyfish to be in Michigan, let alone here on this little lake,"

According to the US Geological Survey, freshwater jellyfish are a non-native species, originating from the Yangtze River valley in China. They were first discovered in Michigan in the Huron River near Ann Arbor in 1933, and in Lake Erie soon after.

Freshwater jellyfish have been found in lakes across the US.

The USGS reports that these small creatures (about the size of a penny) are not a danger to humans or Michigan's eco-system; While their stings stings can paralyze small fish, a human might not even feel it if stung.