All hands on deck this Fourth-of-July to stop aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin

Hundreds of Wisconsinites will take to the Winnebago waterways this Fourth-of-July for the state’s busiest boating holiday. During the tenth annual Landing Blitz, June 29th – July 4th, many boaters will be greeted at landings and access points by Clean Boat, Clean Waters (CBCW) Interns, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff, and volunteers sharing a simple but powerful message: YOU can protect lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species.

The Landing Blitz is a statewide effort to remind boaters and users of all watercraft that they can take actions to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species, which pose great risks to the health of our lakes and fisheries. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) partners in the Winnebago Region are excited to participate again this year on Lakes Winnebago, Winneconne, Butte des Morts, and Poygan.

“The weekend leading up to July 4th is always busy since the holiday draws families and boaters to Lake Winnebago and the Upper Pool Lakes”, says Chris Acy, aquatic invasive species coordinator for Calumet, Winnebago, and Fond du Lac counties with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (FWWA). “The Landing Blitz campaign allows us to reach and empower a lot of people to help prevent the spread of AIS.”

Invasive plants and animals, like Eurasian watermilfoil, spiny water fleas and zebra mussels, can spread easily by hitching a ride on boats and other equipment, including trailers, anchors, livewells, buckets and bilges. Because many invasive species can also be hidden in mud, it’s vital to clean off anchors. Boaters can easily prevent the spread by taking the following simple steps before they leave a boat landing:

* Inspect boats, trailers and equipment for attached aquatic plants or animals.

* Remove all attached plants or animals

* Drain all water from boats, motors, livewells and other equipment

* Never move live fish away from a waterbody

* Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash

* Buy minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer.

* Only use leftover minnows when either 1) fishing with them on the same body of water or 2) on other waters if no lake/river water or other fish have been added to the container.

Following these steps also helps boaters comply with Wisconsin state law, which prohibits the transport of aquatic invasive species.

Volunteers, AIS partners and DNR boat inspectors will be on hand at landings around the Winnebago system and the state to demonstrate the prevention steps and answer questions about invasive species. If you happen to see a CBCW intern at a boat landing from June 29th through July 4th, stop by to say hello and receive a free microfiber towels in thanks for your efforts to stop aquatic hitchhikers and protect Wisconsin’s lakes.

CBCW Interns from FWWA, Calumet County, and UW-Oshkosh will be at boat landings around Lakes Winnebago, Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts giving demonstrations on the prevention steps and answering questions about invasive species. Their efforts will build on the success of last year’s campaign, when volunteers inspected over 14,000 boats and spoke with over 32,000 people statewide.

Follow us on our Winnebago Waterways Facebook page or @WinnWaterways on Twitter for updates about where and when your free microfiber towel during Landing Blitz!

Boaters visiting Shawano and Menominee counties can get a free microfiber towel by talking with Brady Stockwell, the AIS Coordinator for Shawano and Menominee counties with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

For those who use social media, you can help spread the word about the importance of aquatic invasive species prevention by posting photos and messages using #CleanBoatsCleanWaters.

This article was written by Chris Acy, the AIS Coordinator for the Winnebago Waterways Program covering Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties.

To learn more about invasive species and their impacts to Wisconsin’s waters and economy, visit DNR.wi.gov and search “Invasive Species”.

Questions? Comments? Contact Chris Acy, our Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator at (920) 460-3674 or chris@fwwa.org!

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance program. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.

Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Winnebago Waterways Program on our Winnebago Waterways Facebook page or @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.