Stop aquatic hitchhikers!
If you are a water recreationist—boater, angler, water-skier, sailor, or canoeist—there are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful invasive species from one lake or river to another. In Minnesota it is illegal to transport harmful invasive species.
- Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment (anchors, centerboards, rollers, axles) and remove any plants and animals that are visible before leaving any waterbody.
- Drain water from the motor, livewell, bilge, and transom wells while on land before leaving any waterbody.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.
- Wash then dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. This can be done on your way home or once you have returned home. Some aquatic nuisance species can survive more than 2 weeks out of water, so it is important to:
- rinse your boat and equipment that normally get wet with hot (at least 40° C or 104° F) tap water; or
- spray your boat and trailer with high-pressure water; or
- dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days, before transporting to another waterbody.
- Learn what these organisms look like (at least those you can see). If you suspect a new infestation of an invasive plant or animal, report it to your natural resource agency.
- Consult your natural resource agency for recommendations and permits before you try to control or eradicate an invasive "pest." Remember, invasive "pest" thrive on disturbance. Do-it-yourself control treatments often make matters worse and can harm native species.
More guidelines, including information for scuba-divers, seaplane pilots, or waterfowl hunters, is available at Protect Your Waters.
