August 31, 2018 at 4:56 p.m.
Aquatic invasive species are still a concern in the fall
Aquatic invasive species are still a concern in the fall
Many lake property owners, both year-round residents and summer visitors, take their docks and other equipment out of the lake this time of year. When pulling your dock, swim platform or any other structure that has been in the water all summer, check it over once it is out of the water. If your lake has invasives such as zebra mussels, they may be stuck to any surface that has been submerged. Spiny water fleas may also accumulate on ropes or other surfaces.
These are both examples of invasive animals that have found their way into some of our Northwoods lakes. While they may not have been found in your lake yet, early detection is key. So, if your lake is not known to have one of these, but you suspect you have found some, it is best to contact the DNR for a positive identification.
Check and see what types of weeds you find near your platforms and docks as you take them out. If you find something new that you suspect may be an invasive, have it checked out. It can also be a good idea to look around on the bottom of the lake near your dock or shore station to see if you see anything different there as far as crayfish or mussels. If your lake has a lake association, sometimes a quick check with them will let you know what you might expect to find in your lake and what might be new or of concern.
For some, it may be the first time they've pulled the boat out of the water since putting it in last spring. When pulling the boat out of the water for the year, check it over, as well as the trailer, before storing them for the winter. Look to see if any invasives have become stuck to the boat or trailer. Make sure to drain any water from the boat and motor before leaving the area where you pull your boat out, whether that is a public launch ramp or at your own home.
Look up into the prop with a flashlight. Even small pieces of vegetation can make their way into another lake and create an entire new colony of that invasive. Also check for animals such as zebra mussels that may have made your prop their home over the summer. It is best to bleach the livewell and bilge pump area, which will kill most invasives hiding out in those areas.
Again, if you find anything out of the ordinary, it is best to have it identified.
Fall is also duck hunting season. That means many hunters are launching and loading their duck boats daily throughout the season. Care should be taken in these instances, too, to ensure all weeds and other aquatic vegetation is removed before leaving the launch ramp. Remember, there is a fine for transporting invasive species, and it does not only apply to boats in the summertime.
Weeds left on duck hunting boats are subject to the same fines if you are caught traveling down the road with them still attached. It is always best to take a minute or two to check over the boat, trailer and any other equipment that has been in the water or around the launch ramp, just make sure no invasives are tagging along for the ride.
Anything that touches the water for any period of time has the propensity to transport invasive species. This includes waders, life jackets and any other equipment you may bring into or near the water while hunting. Be sure to clean everything thoroughly and let it dry completely.
Invasive species awareness does not end when the kids go back to school or when the calendar says it is fall. Invasive species can be spread at any time of the year by anything we put in the water. Taking just a few minutes when removing boats, swim platforms and docks from the water for the year can help identify any possible new threats.
By the same token, duck boats and other equipment used in the water, including decoys, should be checked for invasive species, too. Humans are the main cause of the spread of invasives, but we can also be the very thing that prevents invasives from spreading.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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