Boaters take DNR advice about invasive species in Minnesota lakes

(FOX 9) - May is right around the corner and that means peak fishing and boating season is starting to heat up.

That also means hazardous invasive species could be lurking in your favorite lakes.

At one of Minnetonka’s most popular ramps, fishermen are loading up their catch and their boats, but they’re also working hard to unload any small stowaways.

“I always try to do a good job of checking my boat, draining the live wells,” said Josh Borovsky, a professional fishing guide.

“Go over your trailer, make sure you’re not dragging any weeds out of the lake,” recommended Timothy Reidhead, another fisherman.

Borovsky said he focuses on getting everyone off the carpet and the bunks of his boat, too. It’s become routine for him because he makes part of his living guiding on Lake Minnetonka.

He says one of the biggest problems is zebra mussels.

The 2019 calendar put out by Minnesota’s DNR reminds people of the local invasive species threat.

For April, there’s a notice to check your docks and lifts for zebra mussels, faucet snails and plant fragments.

For June, an aquatic plant hybrid of native northern watermilfoil and non-native Eurasian watermilfoil are on the list.

“Especially on this lake, Minnetonka, does actually have all the invasive you can find there in here already,” Borovsky said.

“I think the DNR is doing a good job,” Reidhead said. “It’s something that’s hard to stay on top of since its taken course.”

Borovsky said he’s worried about invasive species, but says he still wants to be able to get out and fish.

“That’s the thing that scares me the most,” he said. “Because I kind of see it coming a little bit just as it gets harder for us to access the lake.”