DNR offers free boat decontamination to reduce invasive species

PEWAUKEE (WITI) -- Boating season has officially begun, and the Wisconsin DNR this weekend offered free boat decontamination in an effort to help keep Wisconsin's waterways clean.

The DNR set up a power-washing decontamination unit at the Pewaukee Boat Landing on Saturday, June 8th.

High water temperatures supposedly kill aquatic invasive species.

DNR Warden Kevin Mickelberg says to prevent the spread from lake to lake, boaters need to do two very simple things:

"There's really two simple things a boater can do: One, when they pull their boat out the water is to inspect it and pull all the weeds off and drain all the water. If we get every boater to do that, we`re gonna make a big dent and stop the spread of invasive species throughout the state," Mickelberg said.

Mickelberg says there are more than 160 types of invasive species that can travel on weeds and the water column.

The wardens also went to bait shops, dive shops and sporting goods stores to spread the message.