Originally published in Lake of the Woods Area News, Volume 55, Number 4, Fall 2025
Nationally, Minnesota has been a leader for three decades in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). We have built a reputation in AIS management through prevention.
People can spread AIS by moving boats, gear, and equipment from one waterbody to another or releasing non-native species into the environment. AIS have profound harmful impacts on our cherished Minnesota waters. It has been demonstrated that prevention is much more cost-effective than management.
Minnesota led the development of the first comprehensive program in the nation in the early 1990s to address the challenges of AIS. Through effective AIS prevention efforts, the keys have been public outreach, watercraft inspection (and more recently decontamination), enforcement and risk assessment. To support people consistently using AIS prevention behaviours, managers shifted their public outreach and communication efforts to more strategic, consistent and simple messaging.
But do we have evidence of success? Yes! We have compelling evidence to demonstrate that AIS prevention is working in Minnesota. Since 2015, watercraft inspection data indicate that most boaters and anglers (95% or more) are following AIS prevention laws. Many counties are reporting 98-99% compliance.
Analyses by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC) and by the Cass County AIS Program indicate the rate of AIS spread has slowed in Minnesota over the last decade.
Partnerships among the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, counties, MAISRC, federal agencies, tribes, lake associations, advocacy groups, and people who enjoy Minnesota’s waters have contributed to this success.
Some find it hard to believe that only 8 per cent of Minnesota’s waters are listed as infested with AIS. In my opinion, if Minnesota had not taken proactive measures aimed at prevention over the past 30 years—all of our lakes would be infested by now.
Our waters deserve our protection now more than ever from the harm that AIS cause to our environment, recreation, and economy of communities that depend upon healthy lakes for jobs, recreation and tourism. More boaters and anglers than ever are taking actions and using the cleaning tools at the water accesses that have them. We know it’s working. Can we count on you to do your part?
What can you do?
- Clean watercraft, trailers, and equipment to remove aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Never release bait, plants or aquarium pets into lakes/rivers.
- Dry docks, lifts and rafts for 21 days before moving them from one waterbody to another.
For more information, visit mndnr.gov.
LOWDSA continues to offer boat wash stations throughout the summer in the Lake of the Woods region. Visit lowdsa.com for updates or to register to receive our regular emails.
Graphic courtesy of Steve Henry, Cass County AIS Program Coordinator.
