WOODRUFF - If you plan on hitting area lakes this weekend--you may want to make sure your boats are free of weeds and water.

The DNR will be at random boat landings in Oneida, Vilas and Iron counties educating people about Aquatic Invasive Species and the fish virus Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia.

The two are damaging to the lakes and the fish in them.

DNR Deputy Warden Watergurd John Preuss says by enforcing AIS and VHS regulations he hopes to prevent the spread of these harmful viruses.

Preuss says wardens will be telling boaters the four steps to check for AIS and VHS.

He says look for weeds on your trailer and boat, as well as inside your boat.

Then Preuss says you need to drain the bilge, trim the motor, pull the plug and drain the live wells.

He adds, "Then if you're fishing and you catch fish, fish can't leave the lake alive, they're alive when they're in water, so the container they're held in, whether you have 25 pan fish, just drain the water of the container they're held in, and that includes shore fisherman too."

Preuss says fisherman also need to be aware that minnows used as bait can also spread AIS or VHS.

Minnows can be used on other lakes as long as they have not touched the lake water.

Preuss says they're enforcing regulations this weekend to get the word out before the Labor Day weekend rush.

He adds fines can range from anywhere from $180 to $250.

For more information about the rules and regulations--you can click on the links below.

Related Weblinks: Wisconsin DNR-Invasive Species
VHS Information