Minnesota Anglers Urged to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species Ahead of Fishing Opener

(KNSI) – Minnesota anglers are reminded to check their boats for unwanted hitchhikers as they leave the lake during this weekend’s fishing opener.

Aquatic Invasive Species are damaging the ecosystem of our lakes. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resouces, non-native plants and animals can clear water of their food supplies or grow thick mats that choke out native weeds. DNR Regional Watercraft Inspection Supervisor Christine Hokkala-Kuhns warns anglers to look around the boat landing before launch. “At the access, there may be an orange invasive species alert sign. So this sign is going to tell you what organism or organisms are present in that lake. And it’s also going to have a picture so you know what they look like.”

In central Minnesota, the known AIS are zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil, curly leaf pondweed, spiny water fleas, and starry stonewort. Hokkala-Kuhns explained three steps to slow the spread as you leave the lake. “Those three simple steps that I mentioned, those are the laws. So again, remember, you want to clean off all vegetation, mud debris, small animals, you don’t want to be transporting any plants. You definitely want to leave all the plugs out [on your watercraft] when you’re transporting it on the roadways. And, then, the last one is disposing of that live bait.”

She says to drain your bait bucket and throw the leftovers in the trash, not back into the lake. Click here to find out more about dealing with AIS and learn which lakes are infested.

Minnesota’s fishing season starts at sunrise on Saturday.

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