What are aquatic invasive species (AIS)? How do boaters spread AIS from lake to lake? What can boaters do to protect Michigan’s treasured inland lakes? Are there other invasives headed our way?
Kevin Walters, Aquatic Biologist, Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) answered those questions at a presentation on June 03 at the R.A. MacMullan Conference Center.
Once an invasive species has taken up residence it is here to stay and the best defense against a growing AIS population is to wash your boat. AIS “hitchhike” from lake to lake in weeds, bait. bilge water, mud, trailers, anchors, props, fishing equipment and more! Hydrilla is a new invasive that has been identified in Michigan. Known as “the worst aquatic invasive plant yet” we don’t want to host it in Higgins or lakes nearby.
Vicki Springstead, Higgins Lake Foundation, Chair said, “this summer the Higgins Lake Foundation has increased their AIS awareness program with additional funding from Michigan’s “Clean Boats, Clean Waters”, a collaborative program between EGLE and Michigan State University Extension focused on AIS prevention. You will see boat wash employees distributing educational flyers at launch sites. Posters, yard signs and even coasters on the bar of your favorite watering hole that are there to remind boaters to take a few extra minutes to wash their boats. This program was funded by the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program.
“My boat only goes in and out of Higgins Lake.” Locals leaving and headed back in the next day often don’t realize that the few weeds on their equipment can easily reintroduce AIS in another location in the lake. Fortunately boat cleaning, washing, and disposing of weeds is very convenient with washing and cleaning equipment at all DNR launch and exit sites around Higgins Lake.
Protect the lake you love by taking a few minutes to Clean, Drain, Dry and Dispose before you launch or leave an inland lake.
