AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

LAKE OF THE WOODS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

WHAT IS AIS?

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants, fish and other organisms that invade Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. These aggressive invaders can cause economic and ecological harm.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention is a statewide effort to keep our waters clean and free of invasive species. Many Aquatic Invasive Species can be extremely detrimental to existing fish and plant communities. Working together enables us to better reduce the amount of these species.

Lake of the Woods SWCD is striving to prevent the spread of AIS in the county, and with your help we will be successful.

Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are known to have both Spiny Waterflea and Zebra mussels.

WHAT WE DO

LOCAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

Stopping the spread of AIS starts with awareness. The SWCD works with a local committee to get the word out. Some locally led efforts include billboards and social media advertising.

Volunteer events like Starry Trek also help get the word out. Starry Trek is a statewide search for the invasive Starry Stonewort. The SWCD partners each August with the local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to search local boat accesses during this statewide event.

AIS INSPECTION PROGRAM

Watercraft inspectors conduct approximately 10,000 inspections per year!

The AIS Inspectors play an important role in educating the public. They are the boots on the ground at local accesses.

Their presence is a constant reminder to Clean! Drain! Dispose and Dry!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

A few steps can help slow the spread.
It takes all of us!

Clean – get a little dirty by cleaning off your boats and equipment every time you leave a body of water.
Drain – drain the water from your boat. Empty your livewells and pull the plug!
Dispose – don’t dump your unused bait back in the water. Take it home with you and put it in the trash.
Dry – if you can’t wash your boat with hot water, another option is to let it sit before putting it back in the water. Five days is recommended!