Traveling with your Watercraft

[PopUpSteve]

I was just watching the latest Slim Potatohead video where he's kayaking in the Okefenokee swamp. This reminded me of my travels out West where most States have Watercraft Check Stations either at of close to the State lines.

I had an interesting experience at one of these checkpoints which you can read about here: https://www.popupportal.com/threads/this-time-last-year.120667/post-1232071

So if you're traveling with your watercraft, even locally, always give it a good bath before your next outing. You don't want to be spreading any invasive critters from one water system to another.

And if you are traveling cross country, keep a list of your water adventures. It may help speed you through any checkpoints.

 

[gladecreekwy]

Ah. I know that check point well. In the cops defense they spend all summer chasing people that fly past that thing. There should be a larger sign way before you get to it.

 

[Sjm9911]

Its not just critters, but also plant life. Up in the lake george area, they have been fighing a sea weed that isnt native to there lakes. They would have divers go in and rip it out. Not easy to do. All boat launches i have sceen have a hose for rinsing off your boat or raft. So , yea, be mindful.

 

[Strawhouse]

Be sure to wash both the outside and the inside of canoes and kayaks, as well as your paddles!

 

[Jimbow]

Also, if you are using those watercraft to fish and will be crossing boundaries filet but leave the skin on for identification. I forfeited a few walleye fillets to Canada coming back

 

[BikeNFish]

So if you're traveling with your watercraft, even locally, always give it a good bath before your next outing. You don't want to be spreading any invasive critters from one water system to another.

As an avid fisherman, I see the effects from the spread of the invasive species, Eurasian Watermillfoil. It is spreading quickly up here. I follow the the guidelines to a "T" and even go beyond them to protect my favorite lakes from its spread. With that being said, the spread is inevitable. There have been many studies that show the spread of Eurasian Watermillfoil is also spread by waterfowl.

Unfortunately, unless we all go out and wash a duck, most lakes will eventually see it. On my bike rides throughout the summer I see Eurasian Watermilfoil in many ponds that have had zero boat access.

 

[Tonya Harding]

Is there still a "Rusty Crayfish" problem up north? Remember reading a couple of articles a few years ago on 'em...Zebra mussels can be a problem here, & grass carp have been introduced to help control certain aquatic plants...