Boats, trailers, waders, and other fishing and boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from one waterbody to another unless properly cleaned, dried, or disinfected after use. State law requires boaters to take these steps before launching their watercraft (e.g. motor boats, canoes, kayaks, jet skis) into public waterbodies. Although some invasive species such as Eurasian water-milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be easily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please use the guidelines below:
Check
Check your boating and fishing equipment for invasive species.
- Carefully examine common attachment points such as trailer bunks, axles, rollers, lights, transducer, license plate, and motor props for any plants, mud, or debris.
- Run your hand along the hull of your boat to check for changes in texture. If it feels like sandpaper, it could have zebra mussels or other invasive species attached.
- Also inspect all gear used during your trip, including fishing gear and anchor lines.
Clean
Clean any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment.
- Discard materials in a trash can or at an invasive species disposal station; these stations have been installed at many boat launch sites for your convenience.
- Do not wash or release material into a waterbody.
- Some invasive species, such as zebra mussels, can be difficult to remove from a boat hull. They first need to be killed by water or steam that is 140°F, then they need to be removed by a brush or pressure washer. For help cleaning your boat and equipment, visit a decontamination station for a free boat wash.
- Dump unused bait in trash cans and bucket water on dry land above the high water line, not in the water.
Drain
Drain all water holding compartments including ballast tanks, live wells, and bilge areas.
- Drain your boat before you leave an access site.
- Waterskis or wakeboards sometimes have ballast tanks; be sure to drain them.
- Drain your live well if you have one.
Dry
Dry boats, trailers and all equipment before use in another waterbody. The most effective way to ensure that no invasive species or fish diseases are transported to a new body of water is to completely dry your boating and fishing equipment.
- Drying times vary significantly depending on the type of equipment, air temperature, and relative humidity.
- While the outside of a boat will dry relatively quickly, bilge, live wells, and other parts of a boat not reached by the sun or without good air circulation will take additional time to dry completely.
- A minimum of 5-7 days drying time in dry, warm conditions is recommended.
Disinfect
Disinfect anything that came into contact with water if it cannot be dried before reuse.
- Smaller items can be disinfected with hot water to kill aquatic invasive species and fish diseases. Soak all equipment in water that is at least 140°F for 30 seconds.
Visit Your Local Boat Steward
To help protect New York's waters, boat stewards are located at various boat launches throughout the state. Boat stewards are volunteers or paid members of your community who help protect New York State's waters. They assist visitors with a free boat inspection to look for invasive species and educate boaters on the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying watercrafts.
Since 2020, our boat stewards have:
- Educated more than 500,000 water recreationists;
- Inspected almost 350,000 watercrafts at more than 200 locations; and
- Intercepted more than 19,000 findings of aquatic invasive species
New York State Boat Stewards are Entitled to Safety and Respect - DEC and its partners are committed to maintaining a safe workplace, and ask the public to treat boat stewards with respect. New York State does not tolerate harassment of any kind. Stewards are directed to report inappropriate behavior or treatment by anyone at the boat launch locations. We encourage members of the community to help stop harassment - please report misconduct or harassment to DEC, partner organizations, or local law enforcement as appropriate.
What to Expect When You Meet a Boat Steward
When you meet a boat steward they will:
- Ask if you already practice preventive measures to stop the spread of AIS.
- Give instruction about how to inspect and "clean, drain, and dry" your watercraft and equipment.
- Ask which waterbody you last visited so that the steward can determine if you are coming from infested waters and what species are there. Boat stewards will have access to this information for many lakes and ponds through the iMapInvasives website
- Have a wealth of information about aquatic invasive species. Feel free to ask them questions!
- They may also direct you to visit a free on-site or nearby decontamination, or "decon" station. At decon stations, your boat will be washed with high pressure hot water.
View our interactive map to find a boat steward or decontamination steward near you.
For more information about public boat launches in New York State, visit our webpage on all boat launch locations.
