An article from WWA’s Words From The Wardens.
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s October, 2024 eNewsletter.
By DNR Conservation Warden Thomas Heisler
One of the priorities shared by DNR conservation wardens and the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association is to maintain healthy aquatic habitats for waterfowl and all species.
A genuinely effective way to support thriving waters is to ask everyone to do their part in stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species. A few simple steps go a long way in this worthwhile battle against these aggressive and dangerous invaders. The damage they inflict on our environment is serious.
The sad fact is we must acknowledge that there are invasives in some of our waters. The more popular the waterbody – the greater chance for a visitor to spread the species. But this is not a lost cause.
How do they spread? Accidental and Intentional
Decoys with lake weeds
Invasive species often outcompete native fish and plants, which provide habitat and food for native aquatic species. They also can carry parasites, disease and bacteria, impacting water quality. And if that’s not enough, some of these pests also can clog water system infrastructure and can even make a beach impossible to walk on.
The main way aquatic invasive species, such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil, spread to new waters is often by hitching a ride on the boats, fishing equipment, hunting equipment and trailers of the same people who enjoy the water the most.
Some of the aquatic invasive plants and animals are introduced into lakes and streams accidentally and, sadly, sometimes intentionally.
But the good news is we can all work together to keep their spread to a minimum.
Stop Them in Their Watery Tracks
Warden Heisler checks weeds on trailer
The good news is it doesn’t have to be hard or burdensome. Here are some ideas:
- Recreational boaters, waterfowl hunters and people who fish are encouraged to inspect their boats and equipment, removing all weeds and draining all water sources.
- All users should check their waders, skies, ski ropes, tubes, boat anchors, mechanical anchors, fish baskets, gas and electric motor propellers, boat trailer (bunks, wheel wells, leaf springs, trailer lights etc.), inside the bottom of kayaks/canoes, paddles, push poles, decoys and decoy ropes.
- Let your imagination go. Think outside of the box and check anywhere and everywhere even the tiniest piece of aquatic vegetation or animal could hide to hitch a ride to another water body.
- Drain water from live-wells and empty water from bait buckets if the water came from the lake you were on.
- Never move live species away from a launch.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Easy To Miss Places Where Invaders Hide
Some of the most common places wardens have found aquatic weeds are the places many of us overlook. These are the props of the electric and gas motors, decoy anchor lines, leaf springs on trailers and inside the bottom of canoes and kayaks.
Fish and waterfowl associate with aquatic plants for food and cover, which draws waterfowl hunters and fishers to the weeds with boats, kayaks and canoes.
Here’s how to handle these areas where significant amounts of weeds and weed particles:
Check in the bottom of the boats/canoes/kayaks while paddling, lifting decoys, anchors and pulling weeds off fishing lines.
- Water inside those vessels can move the weeds further to the back and under seats and other nooks and crannies.
- When at the landing, before loading canoes/kayaks, flip them over and drain all the water out and search all areas for aquatic weeds and animals.
To learn more about the invasive species, go to dnr.wi.gov and search: aquatic invasive species. Reach me at or (715) 492-4240