ANS North Dakota Game and Fish
By Doug Leier
North Dakota’s waters are a treasure worth protecting for all. From the mighty Missouri River to the Red River and the countless lakes and ponds in between, our fisheries and aquatic habitats support recreation, healthy fish populations, tourism, and local economies. But these waters face a persistent challenge: the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are nonnative plants and animals that disrupt native ecosystems, harm desirable fish, and negatively affect the environment and economy. These aquatic hitchhikers include invasive plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, along with animals including zebra mussels and invasive carp species. They can clog waterways, outcompete native vegetation, damage boat motors, and make fishing, boating, and swimming less enjoyable while increasing management costs.
Unlike native species that evolved alongside our waterways, these invaders come from elsewhere and spread rapidly when given the opportunity. Once established, they are extremely difficult, and often impossible, to eliminate without harming desirable native species.
To help prevent ANS from spreading within North Dakota, everyone who fishes, boats, or enjoys the water should remember three simple steps: Clean. Drain. Dry. Every time.
Clean means removing all plants, animals, and mud from boats, trailers, and equipment before leaving a water access. Even a small piece of vegetation hidden on a trailer or propeller can carry invasive species to another lake.
Drain means emptying all water from boats and watercraft before leaving the access. Drain livewells, bilges, bait containers, motors, and any other compartments holding water. Opening drain plugs before transport is not only common sense, it is required by North Dakota law.
Dry means allowing boats and equipment to dry completely before entering another lake or river. Although drying is not required by law, allowing equipment to dry thoroughly, or freeze during winter, greatly reduces the chance that aquatic nuisance species will survive.
These precautions are more than recommendations. North Dakota Game and Fish regulations require boats and equipment to be vegetation-free before leaving a waterbody. Docks, boat lifts, and similar equipment must also remain out of the water for at least 21 days before being placed in another waterbody.
The spread of ANS has real consequences. Zebra mussels attach to docks, boats, and other structures while filtering plankton that native fish and young aquatic organisms depend upon. Their sharp shells also create hazards along shorelines. Eurasian watermilfoil forms dense mats that interfere with boating and fishing while crowding out native aquatic plants. Managing established infestations requires years of costly effort.
Live bait regulations also help prevent ANS. Transporting live aquatic bait or aquatic vegetation into North Dakota is prohibited. Anglers may not transport live bait in water away from waters designated as infested. In non-infested waters, live bait may be transported in containers holding five gallons or less, but unused bait may never be dumped into the water or along the shoreline.
Every boater and angler plays a role. Spread the word—not aquatic nuisance species—and help keep North Dakota’s waters healthy for generations.
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