LANSING, MI (AP)-- State officials are using the approaching holiday weekend as a reminder in their campaign to prevent introduction of aquatic invasive species in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging anglers and boaters to clean their boats, trailers and equipment before and after use. Many invasions have begun with organisms that hitched rides from one water body to another aboard pleasure craft.
Michigan laws prohibit placing a boat, trailer or other boating equipment into state waters with plant material attached.
Among other steps that can help prevent invasions are draining water from bilges and live wells at the ramp before leaving, disinfecting them with bleach, drying boats and equipment thoroughly before using them in a different waterway and disposing of unused bait in the trash.