DNR Say It’s Up To Boaters To Help Curb The Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

(KNSI) – Hoards of anglers fanning out across the state for the 2023 Minnesota Fishing Opener are on the front lines for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. The unofficial Minnesota holiday is this weekend, with nearly 400,000 people expected to participate in the tradition.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Invasive Species Unit Supervisor Kelly Pennington told KNSI News boaters are the ones who can make a difference. “It’s important to remember from a prevention perspective for anglers and recreational users of our lakes and rivers. Those clean, drain, dispose of steps apply every time you leave water access.”

Experts say to clean your watercraft after each use, drain all water from the boat pumps and dispose of all unused bait in the trash instead of dumping them in the lake.

Nonnative plants and animals such as big head and silver carp, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, faucet snails, starry stonewort, spiny water fleas and zebra mussels are changing Minnesota lakes and leading to problems with native species. Zebra mussels, for instance, attached to docks, rocks and water intake pipes, causing damage and cutting swimmers’ feet.

There are few options for treating AIS in area lakes. Pennington says it’s important to report new invasive outbreaks so they can be dealt with promptly. “For example, starry stonewort is in some area lakes around St. Cloud. We’ve found we’ve had a lot more success with management options like hand pulling, when we’ve found a population relatively early in its growth. Then there’s more opportunity to do something about it.”

About 8% of Minnesota’s more than 11,000 lakes are on the infested waters list, with about half of those dealing with zebra mussels. As of November 2021, zebra mussels have been found in nearly 500 lakes, wetlands and stretches of river.

___