What with all the news regarding the flooding in Texas lakes, don’t forget the fight we all continue against invasive species in our waterways.
Zebra mussels and giant salvinia could be hiding in your boat or fishing gear. If you don’t take action, you risk spreading these destructive invaders to lakes and rivers across Texas, and these are just two of invasive species. If you want to know all of the different invasive Texas species, check out the following website.
(See http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/prohibited_aquatic.phtml)
It’s also illegal to transport invasive species, and a statewide law requires draining water from boats and on-board receptacles before leaving or approaching fresh water bodies.
Clean off any vegetation, mud or foreign objects on your boat, trailers and gear before you leave the lake.
Drain all water, including the bilge, livewells, motor and bait buckets
Dry your boat and trailer for a week or more before entering another water body. If unable to dry the boat completely, wash it with high-pressure, hot, soapy water.
Invasive species can hide in any gear that holds water, including bait buckets. Clean, drain, dry all you’re gear whether fishing from a boat, shore, or pier.
Don’t get caught with transporting the culprits. Transporting Zebra mussels and/or giant salvinia are Class C misdemeanors. For the first offense, the violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500.
