Battle on Bago & Beyond – Protect Your Waters from Invasive Species

No Matter the Time of Year, AIS Prevention Helps Your Waters

Original Story: WI DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and partners ask anglers to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species while fishing this winter.

Even in harsh winter conditions, anglers can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and fish diseases. Wisconsin fishing regulations state that minnows can only be purchased from a licensed Wisconsin bait dealer. Up to two gallons of water may be used for transporting minnows. As long as no lake or river water or previously used minnows have been added to the container, the minnows may be used on a different waterbody. If lake or river water or previously used minnows were added to the container, the minnows can only be used on that same waterbody.

Fishing Battling on Bago? Take an extra minute to protect your lakes for future generations to enjoy!

When lake or river water or used minnows are added to these containers, diseases such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia or critters like tiny spiny water fleas and zebra mussel larvae may be along for the ride. No other fish can be held in the minnow container, and dead bait must be preserved in ways that do not require freezing or refrigeration. Never dispose of unwanted bait in a lake or river, and dispose of any worms in a closed container in the trash. Lake and river water must be drained from all other equipment.

Before leaving your fishing spots, remove any mud or plant material clinging to gear, including sleds used to haul supplies. Some invasive aquatic plants flourish under the ice, like curly-leaf pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil. Invasive critters like the spiny water flea larvae hide in the mud, and zebra mussels often hitch rides on plants.

Before and after you drop your line, protect our fishing future by doing your part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Remember to:

• Inspect all fishing equipment for attached aquatic plants, animals or mud.
• Remove all attached plants or animals.
• Drain all water from buckets and equipment (max 2 gallons allowed for minnows).
• Never move live fish away from a waterbody (fish out of water = dead).
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash