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CLEAN YOUR GEAR


Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants and animals that have been introduced into new ecosystems and have environmental, recreational, economic or health impacts. These invaders may damage equipment and compete with native species. Anglers and boaters may unknowingly introduce AIS into new waters.

Help reduce the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species by following these simple steps:

    1. Check
    2. Drain
    3. Clean
    4. Dry

CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT

Inspect every inch of your boat, trailer and fishing gear before leaving any body of water. Remove and leave behind plants, mud and aquatic life.

Check your boat

    • Anchor and line
    • Motor lower unit
    • Hull
    • Trailer hitch, rollers, lights and axle
    • Life jackets
    • Swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards or tubes

Check your fishing gear

    • Shoes or boots
    • Clothing
    • Fishing vests
    • Fishing rod, reel and line
    • Hooks and lures
    • Tackle boxes

Remove

    • Visible plants
    • Fish or other aquatic animals
    • Mud and dirt

Do not transport any potential hitchhiker, even back to your home. Remove and leave them at the site you visited.

DRAIN

Drain water from all equipment before leaving the area you are visiting. Some species may live for months in water that has not been removed.

    • Motors
    • Jet drives
    • Live wells
    • Compartments
    • Boat hulls
    • Bilge
    • Shoes, boots and waders
    • Bait buckets
    • Life jackets
    • Swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards or tubes

CLEAN

Many AIS are microscopic and can't be seen. It's important to clean your gear even if it doesn't appear to have anything on it. Follow the cleaning instructions below after the water has been removed.

    • Use hot (140° F) water to clean your equipment.

    • Spray equipment with a high-pressure washer. If hot water is not available, a commercial hot water car wash also makes an ideal location to wash your boat, motor and trailer.

DRY

Dry everything before entering new waters. Allow equipment to dry to the touch, and then allow it to dry another 48 hours. Thick and dense material like life jackets and felt-soled wading gear will hold moisture longer, take longer to dry and can be more difficult to clean.

STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS

Do not transport any plants, fish or other aquatic life from one body of water to another. Do not release unused bait into the waters you are fishing. Dump unused bait in a trash can. 

Tips for New Zealand Mudsnails:

  • Freeze gear for a minimum of six hours.
  • Soak gear in hot (>120 Fahrenheit) water for at least five minutes.
  • Soak gear in a 1:1 solution of Formula 409 Degreaser Disinfectant and water (other typical aquatic invasive species disinfection methods and other 409 brand products are not effective in killing NZM).