By the MN Department of Natural Resources
The upcoming Independence Day holiday brings busier lake accesses and people hurrying to family gatherings and celebrations. It is important for all lake and river users to take a few minutes to Clean, Drain, Dispose — every time — to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
“Nearly all boaters and anglers understand and follow Minnesota’s Clean, Drain, Dispose laws,” said Kelly Pennington, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invasive species unit supervisor. “People can prevent the spread of invasive species like zebra mussels, starry stonewort and Eurasian watermilfoil by always cleaning and draining watercraft and equipment and disposing of unwanted bait in the trash.”
Conservation officers and DNR-trained watercraft inspectors are at many public accesses to help ensure boaters and anglers are making sure their boats and equipment are “clean in, clean out.”
Some of the state’s waterways – rivers, in particular – have extremely high water as a result of recent rainfall. Boaters, paddlers and others should stay off them until the water recedes.
To read everything the MN Department of Natural Resources suggests, see this week’s Messenger.