Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

[oldjeep]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

He probably didn't even know it was there. I don't see any transom straps so the odds are he put it on the trailer and pulled off.

We don't worry so much about that stuff down here, but those tiny little shell-dwellers sure do cling to anything stationary around these parts. And, if you leave them on you'd think they attached themselves with water-proof uber super-glue. Some of them will laugh at a pressure washer.

Up here millfoil and zebra mussells moving between lakes is a big deal. Although I personally like the water clarity associated with the zebra mussels, apparently there are some downsides

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Aquatic Invasive Species

Bighead carp, silver carp, Eurasian watermilfoil, zebra mussels and other nonnative aquatic species threaten Iowa waters. These aquatic invaders do not occur naturally in our lakes and rivers. When transplanted into them, these invasive species can cause ecological and economic harm by displacing native plants and animals, damaging water resources, and interfering with water-based recreation, including fishing.

The good news is that most Iowa waters are not infested with aquatic invasive species. These invasive species spread between waterbodies mainly by hitching a ride with anglers, boaters and other water recreationists on boats and equipment, on aquatic plants, and in water. If you leave a waterbody without taking precautions, you may be spreading the invasive species from one waterbody to another. Fortunately, there are a few simple actions you can take to prevent their spread.

 Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment and remove any visible plants, animals, or mud before leaving a waterbody.

 Drain water from your boat, motor, live well and bilge before leaving a waterbody.

 Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Never release fish, animals or plants into a waterbody unless they came from that waterbody.

 Rinse or dry your boat, trailer, and fishing equipment to remove or kill species that were not visible when you left a waterbody. Before transporting to another waterbody, rinse with high pressure and/or hot water or dry for at least five days.

 Learn to identify aquatic nuisance species and report any suspected sightings to the nearest DNR fisheries station (p. 27).

Aquatic Invasive Species Law

It is illegal for any person to possess, introduce, purchase, sell, or transport aquatic invasive species in Iowa except when a species is being removed from watercraft and equipment, is caught and immediately killed or returned to the water from which it came, or is being transported in a sealed container for identification purposes. Violations are punishable by a $500 fine.

I'm sure many states are the same.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Up here millfoil and zebra mussells moving between lakes is a big deal. Although I personally like the water clarity associated with the zebra mussels, apparently there are some downsides

Are they suppose to clear it up? The lake I boat at has them and to quote my nephew "Who knew water was really brownish and not blue?"

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Are they suppose to clear it up? The lake I boat at has them and to quote my nephew "Who knew water was really brownish and not blue?"

Yes, they eat a ton of algea and minerals and can really clear up the water fast. The area of Wayzata bay in lake minnetonka that has them is now crystal clear.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Then what are they going to use to kill the carp?...

The Carp are Triploid, Genetic mutations that are sterile.
Kind of like the Seedless watermelons of the fish world.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

>I don't I don't understand why it would make a difference understand why it would make a difference when towing it home.

Do you have storm sewers at your house? If so, where do you think they end up?

Even surface run off can spoil a nearby body of water.

Best to leave it from where it came. That's why so many areas have these laws and stiff fines...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

No, I don't, but that makes sense for those who do. I'm in OK, where we don't even know what runoff is and our storm water systems have been bone dry for months, lol.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Not to pick on you haulnazz15, but this is part of the education problem that many states are dealing with these days. Folks from Oklahoma or other areas tow their boats across the country, hop from lake to lake around here, and don't know how damaging it could be to transport an invasive species from one lake to another. There are certainly enough locals that don't care or don't know, but as it's inscribed in the stone walls of our state capital: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse."

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Not to pick on you haulnazz15, but this is part of the education problem that many states are dealing with these days. Folks from Oklahoma or other areas tow their boats across the country, hop from lake to lake around here, and don't know how damaging it could be to transport an invasive species from one lake to another. There are certainly enough locals that don't care or don't know, but as it's inscribed in the stone walls of our state capital: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse."

Don't misunderstand. We are aware of the Zebra mussel issue, and take steps to avoid it when using lakes with a known infestation. However, knowing the state rules of places halfway across the country is a bit far-fetched. I would imagine you would make yourself aware of those regulations when planning to visit those lakes. I don't imagine it's not as big of a problem with outsiders as it is with those who frequent your lakes who live near the state. As with anything, you can put up as many signs/laws as you want, but you're always going to have people that don't care enough to comply.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

The Carp are Triploid, Genetic mutations that are sterile.
Kind of like the Seedless watermelons of the fish world.

Yeah right, that makes a lot of sense, use a invasive species to control another invasive species. When will people learn.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Don't misunderstand. We are aware of the Zebra mussel issue, and take steps to avoid it when using lakes with a known infestation. However, knowing the state rules of places halfway across the country is a bit far-fetched. I would imagine you would make yourself aware of those regulations when planning to visit those lakes. I don't imagine it's not as big of a problem with outsiders as it is with those who frequent your lakes who live near the state. As with anything, you can put up as many signs/laws as you want, but you're always going to have people that don't care enough to comply.

I live in California (Monterey bay area) Around hear most lakes require an inspection to launch, boat & trailor must be bone dry (If you show up & it's foggy forget launching.) Then when you leave they will put a band that must be there to launch the next time without an inspection.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Yes, they eat a ton of algea and minerals and can really clear up the water fast. The area of Wayzata bay in lake minnetonka that has them is now crystal clear.

They also kill off the food that certain game fish need.Everything has a drawback.They plug up water intakes that is used for drinking water.The only good thing about them is they clean up the water ok and everything in it.Lake Erie has them and if you scrape the bottom with your hook you can actually hook them and bring them up.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

Yeah right, that makes a lot of sense, use a invasive species to control another invasive species. When will people learn.

Well, they are sterile...but I see what you mean. It's not like they doing what Spencer Baird did in the 1800s...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Hitchhikers - Don't Be This Guy

They also kill off the food that certain game fish need.Everything has a drawback.They plug up water intakes that is used for drinking water.The only good thing about them is they clean up the water ok and everything in it.Lake Erie has them and if you scrape the bottom with your hook you can actually hook them and bring them up.

But the bluefin love eating them My comments are tounge in cheek, but we do enjoy anchoring and swimming the the mussell infested area because it has really cleaned up the scummy water - and I don't fish. We also don't drink water out of lakes - yuk, so there are not any drinking water intakes on the lakes around here.