What we do with live bait affects our waters. Unfortunately, some waters in Minnesota are infested with invasive or exotic species—plants and animals that crowd out native species and cause ecological harm. When you’re fishing, your bait bucket and live well may become a temporary home for these unwanted aquatic hitchhikers.
Aquatic invaders such as zebra mussels, spiny water fleas, and Eurasian water milfoil threaten our valuable waters and our native flora and fauna. Most enter rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands by “hitching” rides with anglers, boaters, and other outdoor recreationists.
Transporting invasive species, infested water, and aquatic plants in Minnesota is against the law. Here are a few simple things you can do to help stop aquatic hitchhikers.
Before leaving a water access, remove aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat, trailer, and equipment. Drain water from your boat, motor, live wells, bilge, and bait buckets before you leave the water access. If you want to keep your live bait when leaving infested waters, you must replace water in bait containers with tap or spring water. Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Even earthworms that you collect or buy for bait should not be dumped on the ground.
Before going to another lake, wash your boat and recreational equipment with high-pressure, hot water to kill harmful species you cannot see. Or, dry the boat and equipment for at least five days.
If you suspect a new infestation of an invasive species, save a specimen and report it to a local DNR office, or to the DNR’s Invasive Species Program at 651- 259-5100.
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