Mississippi's lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and streams provide outstanding opportunities for fishing, boating, hunting, and outdoor recreation. Unfortunately, these waters are also vulnerable to aquatic invasive species—non-native plants, animals, and organisms that can harm native fish and wildlife, damage habitats, and create costly management challenges.
Many aquatic invasive species spread from one waterbody to another by hitching a ride on boats, trailers, fishing gear, waders, bait buckets, kayaks, and other equipment. The good news is that every boater and angler can help stop their spread by following three simple steps:
Before leaving a waterbody, inspect your boat, trailer, motor, and equipment.
Remove all visible:
Pay attention to trailers, axles, bunks, anchors, fishing gear, waders, and other equipment that comes into contact with the water. Cleaning removes invasive species before they can be transported to another location.
Drain all water from your equipment before leaving the access area.
Be sure to empty:
Many invasive species are microscopic and can survive in small amounts of standing water. Draining helps prevent them from being moved to new waters.
Allow boats, trailers, and equipment to dry completely before launching in another waterbody.
If possible:
Many aquatic invasive species can survive for extended periods in damp environments. Drying helps ensure they do not survive long enough to spread.
In addition to Clean, Drain, Dry, anglers should always properly dispose of unwanted bait, fish parts, aquatic plants, and other organisms.
Never release fish, bait, plants, or animals into a waterbody unless they came from that waterbody. Introducing aquatic species can spread invasive organisms.
Aquatic invasive species can:
Once established, invasive species are often difficult—or impossible—to eliminate. Prevention remains the most effective and affordable way to protect Mississippi's waters.
Whether you're fishing, boating, paddling, duck hunting, or simply enjoying Mississippi's waters, practicing Clean, Drain, Dry every time you leave a waterbody is one of the easiest ways you can help protect our aquatic resources.
Every Waterbody. Every Time.
