Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
Cleaning your boat hull plays a key rolls in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil and zebra mussels. When you leave a body of water make sure to do the following before transporting your boat:
- Clean and Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals from you, your boat, paddles and equipment
- Drain canoes and kayaks, and towel off visible and invisible residue
- Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water
Watch Clean-Drain-Dry for Paddlers to learn more about invasive species and what paddlers can do to help prevent their spread.
Michigan laws prohibit possessing or transporting any live genetically engineered organisms, several live nonnative fish, and many nonnative aquatic plants, including entire plants, fragments and seeds, as well as hybrids and genetically engineered variants.
For more information see Clean Boats Clean Waters.
Join Michigan Paddle Stewards
The MI Paddle Stewards program consists of a three-hour, self-paced online training followed by optional in-person workshops. The program teaches paddlers to identify, report, and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Participants get tips for properly cleaning their boats and paddling equipment to avoid transferring aquatic invasive species and diseases between water bodies.
