Help stop aquatic hitchhikers Memorial Day weekend

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reminds all boaters and anglers to clean, drain, and dry their boats and equipment this Memorial Day weekend to protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic hitchhikers.

Aquatic invasive species, everything from zebra mussels to Eurasian watermilfoil, move from one body of water to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They often grow quickly and spread fast when brought to another lake or stream due to lack of natural controls.

“Boaters and anglers can help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species to new water bodies by checking their boat and equipment for unwanted hitchhikers after each time on the water,” said Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species program coordinator for the Iowa DNR.

Aquatic invasive species can create serious problems for Iowa waters by reducing native species and making lakes and rivers unusable for boaters, anglers and swimmers.

Clean, Drain, Dry is a simple three step process that boaters need to follow every time they move from one body of water to another.

•Clean any plants, animals or mud from your boat, trailer and equipment before you leave a body of water

•Drain water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a body of water and leave drain plugs out during transport.

•DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another body of water either: Spray your boat and trailer with hot or high-pressure water; or Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days.

•Never release plants, fish, or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

These steps are not only recommendations; they are the law. It is illegal to possess or transport prohibited aquatic invasive species, transport any aquatic plants on water-related equipment and transport boats with drain plugs intact in Iowa.

It is also illegal to introduce any live fish, except for hooked bait, into public waters.

Find more information about aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters in the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or at iowadnr.gov/ais.