For the first time, Minnesota's 800,000 boaters will encounter mandatory roadside check stations this spring at which their vessels will be inspected for aquatic invasive species -- part of a statewide crackdown to slow the spread of exotic critters and plants.

Motorists towing boats will be told to pull into check stations staffed by Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and boat inspectors, the agency announced Friday. Boats that fail inspections will be sent to a nearby decontamination area to be high-pressure-washed with hot water.

But their owners won't get off clean. Those caught violating state laws against transporting zebra mussels, Eurasian water milfoil and other invaders can expect citations and fines instead of warnings, as in previous years. "We're done educating,'' said Jim Konrad, DNR enforcement chief. "If you get caught violating invasive species laws, you should expect a citation.'' Fines are $50 and up.

Also in 2012, boaters will be required to apply free decals to their boats reminding them to comply with the law, including draining all water from boats and bait containers and removing vegetation or invasive species from boats and trailers.

Boaters also must transport their crafts with the drain plugs removed.

The DNR will begin distributing the stickers this month at the Minneapolis Boat Show.

Warnings 'come to an end'

After several years of publicity, signs at boat launches and warnings from conservation officers, state boaters and anglers should be aware of laws prohibiting the transportation and spread of invasive species, Konrad said. But too many either haven't learned or haven't bothered to comply, he said.

Last season, 18 percent of boaters checked by conservation officers were in violation. And officers issued 840 citations or warnings -- triple the number issued in 2010.

"That's unacceptable,'' Konrad said. "The warnings are going to come to an end.''

Roadside inspections are a concept the DNR employed years ago to check for game and fish violations.

The agency discontinued those random stops because of legal concerns, but the Legislature last year gave the agency authority to operate invasive species check stations. Konrad said he's not sure how many will be run this year, but he said they won't occur on busy highways, where the stops could cause traffic safety issues.

Signs will direct vehicles with boats to pull in, but other vehicles won't be stopped, Konrad said.

The DNR also is buying 20 decontamination units, in addition to three it got last year, that will be operated near zebra mussel-infested waters, high-use destination lakes and at the enforcement checkpoints.

The units cost about $15,000 each and use 160-degree high-pressure water to remove and kill invasive species attached to boats or marine equipment. The sprayed water is captured in a reclamation mat so it doesn't wash into lakes and streams, then is filtered and re-used.

The DNR also will hire 150 watercraft inspectors who will be deployed statewide.

Three invasive-species specialists also will be hired to work with lake associations, local governments and individuals.

Additionally, the DNR plans to demonstrate inspections and decontamination of boats at major fishing tournaments on zebra mussel-infested waters. The agency also is producing a video documentary on aquatic invasive species that will be distributed to news media, lakeshore organizations and others.

About 30 state lakes and five major rivers are infested with zebra mussels, which can alter ecosystems, affect fish and fishing, kill native mussels and clog pipes. Their sharp shells can cut swimmers.

Invasive species "will be the No. 1 issue for us, probably for the next several decades,'' DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr told about 300 people gathered Friday at the agency's annual "roundtable'' meetings in St. Paul.

source:  Star Tribune

Lake Michigan fisheries team report

Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan some trollers continue to fish depths of 120 to 180 feet with limited success. Spoons fished in the top 70 feet of water have been the most productive, but there has been no consistent color pattern. The majority of fish taken have been chinook, with some lake trout, rainbows, and coho also being caught. Some trollers have also been working outside the pier heads, and a few chinook and some browns have been taken on spoons and J-plugs. Near-shore water off Sheboygan has cooled to 54 degrees, and some chinook have also been taken by shore anglers casting spoons off the piers.

Ozaukee County - Most trollers in Port Washington have been concentrating in 80 to 120 feet of water. Magnum spoons trolled 30 to 40 feet down have been productive for chinook as well as some lake trout and rainbows. Shore fishing near the Port Washington power plant has started to improve, as the near-shore water temperature has dropped to 50 degrees. Chinook and browns have both been caught on spawn sacs. Fishing off the pier remains slow, but should improve if the water temperature stays cool.

Milwaukee County - Trollers fishing off Milwaukee have been catching a mix of chinook and some rainbows along with a few coho and lake trout in 120 to 160 feet of water. Spoons and flashers and flies have both taken fish. Shore fishing remains slow around most of the Milwaukee area, and perch fishing has tapered off for both shore anglers and boaters.

Racine County - In Racine decent numbers of mature chinook salmon have been caught by trollers working in 80 to 150 feet of water. Green or white flashers coupled with blue flies have been productive, as well as spoons in blue or cracked ice. A few rainbows and lake trout have been in the same areas as the chinook, and some coho and rainbows have also been taken in 220 to 300 feet of water. Perch fishing has dwindled in Racine, and shore fishing for trout and salmon remains slow as well.

Kenosha County - In Kenosha trollers have had success catching chinook and a few rainbows and coho in 90 to 140 feet of water. Both flashers and flies as well as spoons have taken fish. Perch fishing has slowed in Kenosha for both boats and shore anglers. A few brown trout have been caught in the harbor, but those have been few and far between.