Aquatic Hitchhikers
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants and animals that have been introduced into new ecosystems and have environmental, recreational, economic or health impacts. These harmful aquatic plants, animals or microscopic organisms can be readily transported into inland lakes by popular recreational activities. They hitch rides on our clothing, boats and other items used in the water, then are released when we go into another lake or stream.
If the conditions are right, these species can overwhelm a water resource thereby reducing game fish populations, ruin boat engines, reduce native species, degrade ecosystems, make lakes and rivers unusable by swimmers and boaters, reduce property values, and affect human health.
Watch Out for these Invasives in NW Wisconsin
Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers by:
- Remove any visible mud, plants fish or animals before transporting equipment.
- Eliminate water from equipment before transporting
- Clean and dry anything in contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, pets, ect..
- Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came from that same water.
