INDIANA – As you prepare your boat or recreational equipment to get back on the water this spring, remember to look for aquatic hitchhikers.
Zebra mussels, aquatic plants like Eurasian watermilfoil or starry stonewort, and many other invasive species continue to be a threat to Indiana’s waters by degrading fish habitat and negatively affecting recreational boating and fishing.
The most common locations where plants, mussels, and animals hitch a ride include:
- Transom well near the drain plug
- The axle of the trailer
- Lower unit and propeller on the boat motor
- The rollers and bunks that guide the boat onto the trailer
- Anchor and lines
- Bait bucket and live well
Boat owners are asked to drain water from bait buckets, live wells, and boats before leaving the boat landing; leave drain plugs out while traveling on land; clean and dry anything that came in contact with water; and dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Learn more about aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their movement.
