2022 Landing Blitz – Fox-Wolf, partners bring AIS Prevention to Great Lakes

July 4th Weekend: Free Towels for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention

The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance will again be joining the international effort to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species this July 4^th weekend! The annual Landing Blitz campaign will be July 1st- 5th, 2022. Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) boat inspectors and educators will meet boaters at lake and river launches to remind them that by taking simple prevention steps, we all play a vital role stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) like zebra mussels and starry stonewort.

Joining in the effort across the entire state, the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) boat inspectors will be at launches around the Winnebago System and in Green Bay reminding everyone about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin. Keep your eyes peeled because these boat inspectors will also have free towels, pens, and keychains on hand to give out!

For the fourth year, Wisconsin’s campaign is also aligned with the Great Lakes Regional Landing Blitz in all the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces from July 1st – July 10th. Each year, nearly three hundred Wisconsin CBCW launches have been included. Learn more and see where we will participate in 2022 here: https://www.glc.org/work/blitz

“We know from years of WDNR AIS monitoring that the “Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!” guidance to inspect, remove, drain, never move is effective at preventing and reducing the spread of invasive species,” says Erin McFarlane, CBCW Statewide Coordinator with UW Extension Lakes. Taking a minute or two to remove all the plants, animals, mud, and debris from your boat, trailer and equipment while draining water from the bilge, fish buckets, and live wells is all it takes to prevent a new invasive species from establishing in your favorite lake or river.”

Surveys of Wisconsin boaters and anglers consistently show that most boaters perform these actions nearly every time they are on the water. New or infrequent boaters may not be aware of the prevention steps and even frequent boaters might forget. McFarlane notes that if Clean Boats, Clean Waters staff are not at a launch, boaters modeling good prevention steps influence others to do the same. She adds, “Every boater and angler has a role to play in protecting our lakes and rivers. We’re thankful for people currently doing their part.”

If you want to get your hands on a free towel, pen, or keychain this Fourth of July weekend, take the prevention steps listed below and you may just be rewarded!

No matter where you launch, always remember before you leave the launch to:

• 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 (out of water = dead)
• 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 ensures boaters comply with Wisconsin state law, which prohibits the transport of aquatic invasive species.

Have a safe holiday weekend and thanks for helping protect our waterways!