Stop the Invasion

Ontario's fish and the waters that support them are threatened by several exotic species. These exotics can be spread unknowingly by anglers and boaters.

This section describes some of Ontario's harmful exotic species.  It also provides suggesions on how you can prevent their spread.

Whenever you move your boat from one waterbody to another, exotic species may tag along for the ride. There are some important things you can do to prevent the transport of harmful exotic species from one lake or river to another:

• Inspect your boat, motor, trailer, and boating equipment (anchor, centreboards, rollers, axles) and remove any zebra mussels and other animals, plants and mud that are visible before leaving any waterbody.
• Drain water from the motor, livewell, bilge and transom wells while on land before leaving the waterbody.
• Wash/dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the boat launch. Some aquatic nuisance species can survive more than 2 weeks out of water so it is important to: 
• • rinse your boat and equipment that normally gets wet with hot tap water (greater than
    40 ºC); or
  • spray your boat and trailer with high pressure water (250 psi); or
  • dry your boat and equipment for at least 5 days before transporting to another water body.
• Empty your bait bucket on land before you leave the waterbody. Never release live bait into a waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into another.
• Learn how to identify zebra mussels and other exotic species. If you suspect a new infestation report it to the Ministry of Natural Resources or the Invading Species Hotline (1-800-563-7711) - this hotline is a partnership between the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.