Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Below are Michigan’s boating laws and easy steps you can take to stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Violation of the law is a state civil infraction. Violators may be subject to fines.

• It's the law! A person shall not:
  • Launch or transport watercraft or trailers unless they are free of aquatic organisms, including plants.
  • Transport a watercraft without removing all drain plugs and draining all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells.
  • Release unused bait into the water.
• Boaters should learn to identify invasive species and take precautions to prevent their spread.
• Clean boats, trailers, and equipment, and remove all mud, debris, and aquatic plant material.
• Drain live wells, bilges, ballast tanks, and all water from boats before leaving the access site. Fish diseases and microscopic life stages of aquatic invasive species can be hiding in seemingly clean water, so draining is an important step.
• Dry boats and equipment prior to launching in a new waterbody.
• Dispose of unused bait in the trash. Do not release bait into the water.
• Do not transfer fish to waterbodies other than where they were caught. This helps prevent the spread of both aquatic invasive species and fish diseases.
• For more information about invasive species, including how to report something suspicious, visit the state's website.