MINOCQUA - Memorial Day weekend will bring lots of boaters to our lakes and rivers.

But hopefully, those boaters won't bring water and plants from other lakes.

Oneida County's UW-Extension held a "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" workshop to help prevent that today.

Volunteers learned to identify aquatic invasive species.

They also learned how to properly clean boats when they come off the water.

Mike Beals lives on Lake Nokomis, where he will monitor boat landings over the holiday weekend.

"It gave us some hints on how to talk to people at boat landings," he said. "How to approach people, how to get their cooperation, and how to blend in with the community, and get the job done that we need to do."

Beals and his lake district already have issues with invasive species.

But he's hoping better communication can help solve that.

"A low key approach always gets better response from people. 'How's the fishing, look at your boat, here's why I'm here, are you aware of this fact?'" Beals said. "The main thing is, we don't want anyone transferring weeds or water in any form, live wells, bait buckets, bilge pumps. We want them all dry."

Eurasian Milfoil has invaded Gator Bay on Lake Nokomis.

Chemically treating it will cost $50,000, bBeals and other lake residents plan to volunteer 100 hours with the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program.

If they do, the DNR will chip in half the treatment cost.

Story By: Lex Gray