Protecting Our Waterways from Invasive Species

By Ashley Rae
Yamaha Pro Angler

I love to trailer my boat and kayaks to check out new waters in pursuit of the next big catch, but this means always ensuring I’m doing my part to help protect our waterways from invasive species. It’s something we all must do!

Throughout Canada, there are rules and regulations in place specifically to protect our waters from aquatic invasive species, including plants, fish and invertebrates. In some provinces, there are mandatory inspection stations, or it could be the law to remove your drain plug when moving your watercraft over land. If you’re planning to transport your watercraft into British Columbia, you’re required to contact the provincial program first and will be required to wait for instructions from an inspector before you can launch.

For the latest information and resources on invasive species across the country, visit the Government of Canada webpage on invasive species. Another great resource is the Invasive Species Centre.

To help stop the spread of invasive species, the best way you can make an impact is to follow the “Clean, Drain and Dry” method after each outing. These steps are simple to follow, easy to remember and make a real difference when moving between bodies of water.

Clean, Drain & Dry

Before transporting, make sure to clean any vegetation, mud, algae and mussels from your watercraft, trailer and vehicle, as well as your equipment.

Drain all water by removing the plug on the transom, bilge, livewell and any other water-containing devices. It is recommended to clean livewells with a 10:1 solution of water and bleach in order to prevent the spread of fish-harming pathogens.

Since some invasive species can survive out of the water for up to two weeks, it’s important to either dry your vessel in direct sunlight or clean it from top to bottom using a pressure washer or hot water.

Handling Live Bait

Many anglers like to use live bait out on the open water or while ice fishing. Another often overlooked good practice is appropriately handling bait.

If you’re using live bait, ensure you dispose of it properly – do not dump bait over the side of your boat at the end of the day. In fact, in Ontario, it is illegal to release bait or dump the contents of bait buckets into any body of water (this includes on the ice as well). Disposing of bait must be done so 30 metres away from any body of water.

Some waterbodies do not permit the use of live bait at all. Before heading out on the water, ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest Fishing Regulations and make sure that the bait your using is legal.

All it takes is a few minutes of cleaning after each outing to ensure your watercraft is ready to go for the next fishing adventure! Let’s all help ensure the future of our amazing fisheries here in Canada.