Aquatic Nuisance Species

Aquatic Nuisance Species

An increasing number of damaging aquatic species are invading the waters of Connecticut. Zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil are most familiar to anglers but other exotic species may cause problems as well. You can help prevent the spread of problem species by following these simple suggestions!
Before Leaving A Boat Launch:

1. Completely drain all water from the boat, including bilge water, livewells and engine cooling systems.
2. Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment. Remove and discard all aquatic plants and animals you may have picked up while on the water.

At Home:

1. Rinse boat, trailer and equipment with tap water. A bleach solution can be used to clean livewells. Dispose of all rinse material properly!

Please:

1. Don't dump your bait bucket or release live bait! Avoid introducing unwanted plants and animals. Unless your bait was obtained on site, dispose of it in a suitable trash container.
2. Do not transport fish, other animals or plants between water bodies. Release caught fish, other animals and plants only into the waters from which they came from.

It's the Law (Public Acts 03-136 and 04-203)!

• Boaters must inspect their vessel for vegetation and properly remove and dispose of any vegetation before transporting the vessel. You can be fined up to $100 and may have to appear in court for failure to comply.
• The importation, transportation, sale, purchase, possession, cultivation or distribution of a number of invasive plants including the following aquatic plants is currently prohibited:
  
  • Curly leaved pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
  • Eurasion water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
  • Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
  • Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
  • Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
  • Variable water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum)
  • Egeria (Egeria densa)
  • Common reed (Phragmites australis)
  • Purple loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
  • American water lotus (Nelumbo lutea)
  • Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
  • Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
  • Onerow yellowcress (Rorippa microphylla)
  • Pond water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)
  • Brittle water-nymph (Najas minor)
  • Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata)
  • Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)
  • Watercress (Rorippa nasturium-aquaticum)*
    *except for watercress without reproductive structures sold for human consumption.

Violators can be fined up to $100 per plant!