Anglers and boaters can expect stepped-up patrols and citations for violating the state's aquatic invasive species (AIS) laws, according to Lt. Col. Rodmen Smith, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Enforcement Division assistant director.
"We are setting the expectation of the angling and boating public that they will follow the laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, that they will be checked for AIS violations, and that they will cited if a violation is found," Smith said.
The increased patrols will begin with the walleye opener on Saturday, May 12, and continue through the Memorial Day weekend and into the summer.
Minnesota law prohibits the possession or transport of any AIS in Minnesota. Conservation officers and peace officers may stop and inspect motorists pulling boats or other marine equipment upon a "reasonable belief" that AIS are present. AIS include zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil and spiny waterfleas.
To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, anglers and boaters are required by law to:
Drain bait buckets, bilges and live wells before leaving any water access.
Remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Pull the plug on their boat, and drain all water when leaving all waters of the state; drain plugs must remain out while transporting water-related equipment on roadways.
Smith said check stations will also be conducted this summer near public waters, public water accesses, resorts and private water access landings where the transpiration/trailering of watercraft or water-related equipment occur.
"To be compliant with the law, a boater must simply pull the plug, drain the water, and remove any weeds from the boat and trailer," said Smith.
Smith said that stopping the spread of AIS is a DNR priority. "Anglers and boaters can expect to be checked and cited by a conservation officer if found in violation of AIS laws."
Citations range from $50 to $1,000.
For more information on aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their spread, visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index_aquatic.html.
Comments (8)
Add commentbetter stop the aquatic birds as well
One question I want answered, how did fish, aquatic plants and other aquatic organisms move from body of water to body of water without man? How did land locked lakes in Canada that never seen man until the invention of float planes ever get fish and aquatic weed populations?
Answer them questions and you will have your answer if you will ever stop the exotics that are here from moving to every waterway across this nation.
Short and sweet answer is YOU WONT!
You could shut down fishing and boating on every lake and you will not prevent the spread,
More government control.
Don't forget the turtles
and muskrats, frogs, etc.
And don't forget the slimy, belly crawling, gutter sniping
liberals and dems, too!!
weeds and mussels and other things
can easily travel in the feet, wings, beak, feathers of a bird moving from one lake to another. They are almost positive thats how swimmers itch moves from lake to lake.
Blaming birds is just an
Blaming birds is just an excuse to Do Nothing.
Blaming birds is just an
Blaming birds is just an excuse to Do Nothing.
Pdnet says
"And don't forget the slimy, belly crawling, gutter snipingnew
liberals and dems, too!!"
Pathetic . . .and sad. Mostly sad, I guess.
I am not saying do nothing
I am saying that it travels multiple ways.
It amazes me how some of you can twist comments to suit your own purposes, regardless of thats how the comment was written or intended.
I am all for getting these issues under control, including shooting loons in flight, as well as running over turtles as they cross the road.
There, happy now? lmao