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News Brief

May 25, 2023Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Iowa DNR says be wary of hitchhikers

boat

DES MOINES, Iowa - As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is urging boaters and anglers to take action to protect Iowa's lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species.

These species, such as zebra mussels, can quickly spread and harm native species, making the water unusable. The DNR recommends following the "Clean, Drain, Dry" process every time you move from one body of water to another.

Clean your boat and equipment, removing any plants, animals, or mud. Drain all water from your equipment, including motors, live wells, and bait buckets.

Lastly, ensure everything that comes into contact with water is dried thoroughly before moving to another waterbody. This can be done by spraying with hot or high-pressure water or allowing at least five days for drying.

For more information on aquatic invasive species and a list of infested waters, consult the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or visit iowadnr.gov/ais.