Aquatic Nuisances | Video

Alex Hagan | 9/24/2012

Now that fall is here, temperatures are will be dropping and people will gear up for the winter. As owners take their boats out of the water, they`re being asked to watch out for aquatic infestations.

Boaters are still enjoying the nice weather, whether it`s fishing or cruising along the Missouri River.

"Well we`ve had a great boating year you know. The fishing was good early, it`s still great weather. We`re still enjoying it and we still have time left," said fisherman Ed Vanover.

However that is all about to change as the leaves change color and the river begins to freeze.

"It`s always a disappointment get out and pull the boats out of the water," said Vanover.

As boaters start to pull piers and docks along with their own boats, they have to watch out for some new underwater problems.

"We`re encouraging water boards, park boards, city park boards to investigate docks and piers and other hard structures when they are removed from the water this fall for aquatic nuisances and in particular zebra mussels which like to attach to those types of structures," said Aquatic Nuisance Expert Fred Ryckman of the Game and Fish Department

And those nuisances can be a problem for water users.

"On zebra mussels, they attach to our structures and where they have done the most economic damage is on water intakes," said Ryckman.

But boaters say it is easy to avoid the infestation.

"Right now you drain your live wells and clean your motors off and you should be good to go," said Vanover.

To date, adult zebra mussels have not been found in any North Dakota waters, but game and fish encourages boaters to keep a look out.

If some of these aquatic nuisances are found, Game and Fish is asking people to leave them on the boat and take a picture and report the findings.

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