Waterfowl Hunting

Waterfowl hunters play an important role in protecting Minnesota waters from aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) impact waterfowl hunters. Invasive species can impact water quality, plant abundance and diversity, and food availability which can negatively impact waterfowl ecosystems. Invasive species like faucet snails can carry parasites that can kill waterfowl. Invasive species change how we use and enjoy Minnesota waters.  

Waterfowl hunters can unintentionally transport aquatic invasive species. Seeds, eggs, larvae, small animals, plant fragments, and water can be trapped inside your gear. For example:

  • Mud on decoys, anchors, push poles, or waders may contain small invasive species, such as zebra mussels, starry stonewort bulbils, or faucet snails.
  • Aquatic plants can entangle on equipment.
  • Microscopic larvae of zebra mussels can be in the water of engines, live wells, bait wells, and ballast tanks.
Waterfowl Hunting decoy

To help protect Minnesota waters and comply with state law, here are some best practices:

Before your trip
Plan your visit and your gear:

  • If possible, use different gear for each lake or river that you visit.
  • Check the DNR’s infested waters list to learn about AIS present in the area, such as faucet snails or zebra mussels. Schedule your trip on lakes and rivers without AIS before visiting water bodies that the DNR has listed as infested. This reduces your risk of spreading AIS from one water body to another.
  • Try to use elliptical, bulb-shaped, or strap decoy anchors to reduce snagging of aquatic plants.
Always arrive cleaned and drained:

  • Double check your watercraft, motor, trailer, anchors, waders or hip boots, decoys, decoy bags, push poles, hunting dogs, and ATVs to ensure they are cleaned and drained before heading out.
Know the laws:

  • You must cut cattails or other aquatic emergent plants above the waterline if you want to use them for blinds or camouflage.
  • It is illegal to transport aquatic plants or prohibited invasive species, dead or alive.
  • It is illegal to launch watercraft or place a trailer in the water if it has aquatic plants or prohibited invasive species attached, or water present in compartments.
  • It is illegal to transport water away from Minnesota lakes and rivers. You must remove all drain plugs and all water must be drained before transporting equipment off the access site or riparian property.
Know what to look for:

After you are done on the water
Take these required steps before leaving the lake, river, or wetland (Required):

  • Clean watercraft, motor, trailer, anchors, waders or hip boots, decoys, push poles, hunting dogs, ATVs, and other accessories to remove plants, mud, small animals, and debris. Take the time to remove all vegetation, animals, and mud from your decoys as you pull them from the water.
  • Drain all water. This includes watercraft, motor, and decoys. Leave plugs out during transport.
Consider these additional recommendations. Some invasive species are small and difficult to see. To remove or kill them, take one or more of the following precautions before moving to another lake or river:

  • Decontaminate your boat, equipment and gear by rinsing with hot water at 120 degrees for 2 minutes or 140 degrees for 10 seconds. If needed, spray with high pressure to remove attached debris.
  • Spray your equipment with high-pressure water.
  • Rinse your gear with tap water.
  • Dry your gear for 5 days before using it in another lake or river, whenever possible.
Report suspicious aquatic plants and animals to the DNR. Take a picture or collect a specimen, note the exact location, and contact your DNR Invasive Species Specialist or log in and submit a report through EDDMapS.
Learn More
Learn about how to prevent the spread of invasive species while doing other activities.

Resources

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