Cleaning Off Boats, Checking for Invasive Species

As thousands of boaters hit the water around our area, experts are reminding people about the potential spread of invasive species. Volunteers with Clean Boats, Clean Waters are keeping a close eye for invasive species – especially in Lake Winnebago. 

They ask everyone to remove the vegetation from the sides of their boats, including weeds and blue-green algae. It’s also recommended to check and clean everything from life jackets to paddles to every nook and cranny in your boat – and even the tracks of your shoes. 

This is the tenth year for the Clean Boats, Clean Water Landing Blitz – where volunteers check boats as they enter and leave the water. Volunteers meet about 32,000 boaters each year across the state – with about 1,200 of them on the Lake Winnebago System.