A near perfect growing season has made gardeners happy, but it also means a large growth of aquatic invasive species in our lakes.
Oneida County AIS coordinator Michele Sadauskas says they've noticed abundant weed growth this summer and more vegetation being hauled up onto landings...
"...at the same time we're getting some feedback from the wardens that people aren't paying a lot of attention what is coming off their boats and they're leaving some of that vegetation on the boats..."
Sadauskas hopes boaters and anglers pay closer attention to the plants the bring on shore. She says they clean the plants off the boat and trailer, and drain the live wells. Plants and microscopic critters attached to boats are the principal method aquatic invasives are transported from one body of water to another.
She says it can cost you money through a citation if a warden happens to see a plant dangling from your boat. She says you should leave or arrive at the launch with your boat clean of invasives.
She says new infestations of AIS have popped up on four Oneida county lakes after a time where no new infestations were reported.
