AIS PREVENTION

Remove Weeds
Drain All Water
Clean Off Anchor
Dry 21 Days
Decon Station
Drain Livewell

“Clean Your Boat: Learn about Invasive Species” – www.seattleyachts.com/clean-your-boat-learn-about-invasive-species

Watercraft and ALL water related equipment can spread zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species (AIS), flowering rush, Eurasian milfoil, spiny waterflea, starry stonewort, etc. Before entering the lake and when leaving the lake, make sure you have…

CLEANED: All the weeds, debris and mud off your boat, trailer and equipment that will enter the water.

DRAINED: All live wells, bilge areas, motors and other water holding containers.

DRIED: Completely dried your watercraft and REMOVED the PLUG.

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/preventspread_watercraft.html

DECONTAMINATE:  If you are moving your boat from one lake to another and do not have sufficient time to allow it to dry thoroughly, you need to decontaminate your watercraft and gear to ensure you are not transporting invasive species that are not visible or removable.

Becker County has purchased three decontamination units and will decontaminate your watercraft free of charge charge. Contact the Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District for decontamination locations and hours of operation. (218)846-7360

KNOW THE LAWS:

21 days – When moving equipment from a lake or river, all visible zebra mussels, facet snails and aquatic plants must be removed whether dead or alive.  Equipment must be dry for at least 21 days and AIS free before placing in another waterbody.

Pull the Plug – All water draining devices must be removed or set to “open” when on public roads – including live-wells.

Bait Disposal – Dispose of all unwanted bait in the trash, dumping unused bait on land or in the water is not legal.

If you have any questions regarding aquatic invasive species or to report new infestation, please call your local MN DNR AIS specialist.  DNR invasive species contact

COMMONLY ASKED AIS QUESTIONS:

  • AIS can be stopped; waterfowl do not spread zebra or quagga mussels.
    • The spread of AIS follows the highways not flyways.  There is no evidence or reliable research to support the idea that water in the bill of a pelican or cormorant spreads AIS.  There are no known infestations discovered that are attributed to this vector.
  • Inspections lower the risk of AIS transfer.
    • Everyone is responsible to protect our water resources.  Inconvenience does not trump being a responsible boater.
  • Introducing a new invasive to a water way only compounds issues.
    • There are many other aquatic invasive species that are on their way to Minnesota that can be more devastating than zebra mussels.  Quagga mussels can out-compete zebra mussels for food and live in much deeper depths of water.  Hydrilla is like milfoil on steroids.  In addition, the impact of individual AIS becomes more complex with each invasive in a water body.  Once a water body has one invasive, it becomes more important to keep any other AIS out.
  • Inspections are necessary between launches, even in non-infested waters.
    • It is impossible to know which lakes may already be infested, therefore it is necessary to assume all water bodies may be infested.  It may take 2-3 years after an infestation to discover a colony of mussels.
  • Decontamination is worth the time.