Great Lakes Landing Blitz: Help Stop The Spread Of Aquatic Invasive Species

Great Lakes Landing Blitz, June 30 – July 13

Original Story: WI DNR

Help stop the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals this July 4th weekend as part of the Great Lakes Landing Blitz, June 30th – July 13th, 2025.

Thousands of boaters and anglers will be out enjoying Wisconsin’s waters during the Independence Day holiday weekend, which means busier boat landings and a higher potential for spreading invasive species. Enthusiastic Clean Boats, Clean Waters participants are stepping up to greet landing visitors, demonstrate aquatic invasive species prevention steps and answer questions from the public.

“The Landing Blitz is a key part of our statewide aquatic invasive species prevention efforts since the holiday draws both frequent and infrequent boaters to the water, allowing us to educate and empower a lot of people,” said Erin McFarlane, statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters educator with UWSP-Extension Lakes.

Wisconsin’s aquatic invasive species program launched the first Landing Blitz campaign in 2008, and thanks to the energy and commitment of the Clean Boats, Clean Water participants, the outreach event was a great success. Nearby water-rich states took notice, and in 2018, the event became a collaborative education effort among all Great Lakes states and provinces. This annual event is coordinated through an international partnership of federal, state and provincial agencies and Indigenous Nations with the support of the Great Lakes Commission and others.

“This campaign displays the strong commitment the people of Wisconsin have to help preserve the amazing legacy of our waters. Every year, hundreds of people voluntarily help raise aquatic invasive species awareness and emphasize the importance of boaters taking action,” McFarlane said.

Everyone can protect lakes and rivers while enjoying Wisconsin’s waters. Follow these prevention steps, required by state law, to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in waters throughout Wisconsin:

• Inspect boats, trailers and equipment before and after use.
• Remove all mud and attached aquatic plants and animals.
• Drain all water from boats, vehicles and equipment, including livewells, ballast tanks and fish buckets.
• Never move plants or live fish away from a waterbody.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.

To learn more about invasive species and their impacts on Wisconsin’s waters and economy, visit the DNR’s Invasive Species webpage.

Reporting invasive species is a first step in containing their spread. Maintaining and restoring our waters and landscapes can reduce the impacts even when we don’t have other management options to an invasive species.