Aquatic Invasive Species
Laws and Policies

Wisconsin has various laws in place to prevent the introduction and control the spread of aquatic invasive species and diseases in Wisconsin.

LAWS FOR BOATERS AND ANGLERS

• INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment and
• REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading & before transporting on a public highway).
• DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
• DON'T MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
• DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
• BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions.*

*You may take leftover minnows away from any state water and use them again on that same water. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water, or other fish were added to their container.

For additional laws specific to bait use and bait harvesters visit http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/vhs_prevent.html#2

LAWS FOR SEAPLANE OPERATORS

• INSPECT your seaplane and equipment
• REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before landing or taking off).
• DRAIN all water from seaplane or equipment.

LAWS FOR LANDOWNERS, NURSERIES AND WATER GARDENERS

• It's illegal to transport, import, possess, transfer, sell and introduce "Prohibited Species” without a permit
• It's illegal to transport, import, transfer, sell and introduce "Restricted Species" without a permit, but people may possess restricted species with the exception of fish and crayfish.
  
  For a list of prohibited and restricted plants visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/classplants.asp
  For a list of prohibited and restricted animals, fish and algae visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/classanimals.asp