1. Follow the Prevention Steps & Know the Laws:

To help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, follow these simple steps:

REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading & before   transporting on a public highway).

DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.

DON'T MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.

DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.

BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions.*

It's the law; fines may exceed $2,000.

*You may take leftover minnows away from any state water and use them again on that  same water. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water, or other fish were added to their container.

For more information, visit Wisconsin DNR Take Action to Stop Aquatic Invasives! website.

2. Become a Clean Boats, Clean Waters Volunteer:

Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) began in a northern Wisconsin middle school as the “Milfoil Masters” and has blossomed into a statewide AIS education and prevention program with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. 

CBCW goals are to prevent new AIS introductions, limit the spread of existing AIS, and abate their harmful impacts.

Watercraft inspection volunteers are the heart of the program.  Armed with knowledge of AIS identification, legislation, and proper aquatic plant management, volunteers are posted at boat landings across the state.  The volunteers befriend and educate boaters about the threat of AIS and what they can do to help.

Volunteers demonstrate where and how invasive species might hitch a ride by walking boaters through a watercraft and trailer inspection.  All boaters the volunteers meet are asked to participate in a statewide survey regarding their knowledge of AIS issues, legislation and personal practices.

Statewide, the program has had an overwhelmingly positive response and there have been significant reductions in AIS introductions.  The efforts and commitment of the CBCW volunteers play a roll in the reduction of AIS.

For more information on how to become a  CBCW volunteer, contact the Florence County LCD or visit the UW Extension Clean Boats, Clean Waters website.

3. Become a Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Volunteer:

The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) provides an opportunity for local residents to take an active role in lake management by monitoring water quality of lakes in their area.

Local volunteers donate their time, expertise, and enthusiasm for lakes and CLMN provides all necessary water quality equipment and training.  CLMN volunteers monitor water clarity, water chemistry, aquatic plants, and aquatic invasive species.

Findings are used by DNR lake biologists, fisheries experts, water regulation and zoning staff and can also be shared with lake associations, neighbors, and other groups and agencies.

Water Clarity Volunteers measure water clarity with a Secchi disk. The 8-inch diameter black and white disk is lowered into the water on a rope until it can no longer be seen, then this depth is recorded. Tracking your lake’s clarity over time may help identify a problem early on.

Water Chemistry  After a year of water clarity monitoring some volunteers begin water chemistry monitoring. These monitors sample four to five times a year for clarity, phosphorus, chlorophyll, and lake temperature. With this information, the trophic state (overall health) of your lake can be measured more reliably. Some chemistry monitors also take a dissolved oxygen profile of their lake. Openings for chemistry monitoring are limited and depend on the interest of the volunteers and the needs of the lake.

Aquatic Plant Monitoring Aquatic plants are another indicator of lake health and are an essential part of a healthy lake ecosystem. A decrease in diversity or increase in one species may be an early warning of changing water quality. Volunteers are trained to collect and press their lake’s aquatic plants. Materials are provided to help identify aquatic plants and to help the observer map the location and size of plant beds.

Aquatic Invasive Species  Early detection is the best and cheapest way to control invasive species. All volunteers are encouraged to watch for Eurasian water milfoil and purple loosestrife and may be trained to identify a number of other aquatic invaders. If a suspicious plant is spotted, a sample can be sent to the DNR or LCD for identification. 

For more information on how to become a  CLMN volunteer, contact the Florence County LCD or visit the UW Extension Citizen Lake Monitoring Network website.

The Florence County Aquatic Invasive Species Program is made possible by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Invasive Species Education, Prevention, and Planning Grant Project Number AEPP-176-09.

If you have any questions or would like more information,
please contact Paul at 715-528-5940