Daily Herald editorial

When Minnesotans take to the lakes and rivers this weekend for the walleye opener, they’ll need to think not only about what they hope to catch but about what they hope not to catch. Anyone who plans to put a boat in the water this weekend needs to have a clear understanding of his or her obligation to prevent spreading zebra mussels and other non-native animals and plants.

The Department of Natural Resources’ list of Minnesota lakes that contain one or more non-native species, either a plant or animal, runs to 17 pages, and it includes some of the best fishing waters in the state along with a selection of less-popular lakes and rivers. Any time a boat goes into an infected lake, there is a risk that it will unwittingly be used to transport one of these species to a new lake. Non-native species typically face few predators or threats in new waters and spread like wildfire, choking out desirable species — or, in cases such as the infamous zebra mussel — clogging water inflow and outflow pipes.

The effects of invasive species are as old as mankind. People have always tended to carry non-native animals and plants around with them, sometimes intentionally and sometimes accidentally. The impact of invasives has increased exponentially, however, because there are simply more people and more travel than ever before. For Minnesotans, the danger is notable: Our state’s lakes are a major recreation destination that some non-native species could ruin.

It is undoubtedly an annoying extra step at the end of a fishing trip, but we hope every boater will take the time this weekend to follow the basic double-checks for invasive species that the DNR posts at every boat landing. It’s an easy way to be sure that the lakes will always be as enjoyable as they are now.