Aquatic invasive species, also known as AIS, can be harmful to aquatic wildlife and plants and may have negative impacts on water quality. Once an AIS is introduced to a new body of water, it can quickly become very difficult, or impossible, to control.

The best way to prevent AIS from taking over new waterbodies is to stop them from entering in the first place. AIS like zebra mussels, curly-leaf pondweed, and Eurasian watermilfoil can easily hitch a ride from lake to lake by sticking to boats and watercrafts. This is why you should always clean all watercrafts of aquatic plants and mussels before leaving any water access site or entering a new one. Cleaning and draining all boats, trailers, and other water equipment will help stop AIS from invading a new lake. Learn more about how to properly clean off watercrafts here.