Aquatic Invasive Species
Help stop the spread!A number of aquatic invasive species are established in Connecticut and more are threatening to invade. Although zebra mussels continue to expand its distribution along the Housatonic River and remain a great concern a more immediate concern is hydrilla. Unlike zebra mussels, which are somewhat limited due to their water chemistry requirements (hardwater), hydrilla can likely grow in waters all throughout the state and a particularly robust strain has spread throughout the Connecticut River.
Hydrilla, an emerging new threat to Connecticut’s aquatic resources.Until recently, hydrilla was found at only a few isolated locations in CT. This invasive aquatic plant can spread aggressively (it can grow up to a foot a day), form dense mats of vegetation, easily outcompetes and displaces native plants, alters aquatic habitats, and interferes with recreational activities. Hydrilla is very difficult to control once established. It typically sprouts later in the growing season, making it difficult to identify until the summer, can sprout in deeper water and/or from fast growing runners, can sometimes fragment easily, and will maintain robust growth through the end of the growing season. Not native to the United States, hydrilla was likely first introduced to this country in the 1950’s. It has since become a major problem in southeastern states and has spread into the northeast, and has now been found in two publicly accessible waterbodies: Coventry Lake. In the fall of 2015, hydrilla was first identified in Coventry Lake. Since then, in collaboration with the Town of Coventry, DEEP has been supporting active management of this population of hydrilla, including plant surveys and herbicide treatments. Results have been good since treatment of the lake with the herbicide fluridone began in 2018. Connecticut River. Hydrilla was first found in the river in 2016, in a back portion of Keeney Cove (East Hartford) and later that year growing in the river at Glastonbury’s Riverfront Park and Boathouse. The observed growth pattern suggested that hydrilla had been in the river for a couple of years. In 2017 hydrilla was found in several new locations including Wethersfield Cove, Crow Point Cove, and scattered along the west shore of the mainstem from the Massachusetts border down to Thompsonville. Since then hydrilla has unfortunately spread widely throughout the river. The presence of hydrilla near the Massachusetts border and a population upstream in Massachusetts suggests the source population was upstream of Connecticut. At this time it is unclear as to what control is possible in a large river system such as the Connecticut River, so it is imperative that boaters and other users practice “Clean, Drain & Dry” methods to help prevent its spread to other waterbodies. See the next page to learn more on “CLEAN, DRAIN & DRY” procedures.
Knobfin Sculpin (Cottus immaculatus)
New For 2020 - Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp Fee For VesselsOne of the accomplishments of the 2019 Connecticut legislative session was Public Act 19-190, which established a dedicated funding source for the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account to combat aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Connecticut. Effective January 1, 2020 this account is funded by an Aquatic Invasive Species fee. For vessels registered in Connecticut: this fee ($5.00) will be automatically included on the boat registration renewal fee (the vessel registration decal will serve as confirmation of the AIS fee payment). For vessels registered in other states: the fee ($20.00) must be paid prior to operating the vessel on inland waters in Connecticut. The non-resident vessel AIS fee can be paid in the same way that Connecticut fishing and hunting licenses are obtained, online at www.ct.gov/deep/getmyfishinglicense, or in person at one of DEEP’s offices, a town hall that has opted to sell sportsmen’s licenses, or at a number of other vendors that sell fishing equipment. View complete list of vendors on the DEEP website or call DEEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105) for the vendor list. There is no physical decal or stamp; when the AIS fee is paid, a line noting that you have paid the fee will added to your CT sportsmen (fishing, hunting, etc.) license document that can be printed or downloaded to an electronic device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc.). While on inland waters you’ll need to have this document (hard copy or electronically) available on the vessel. Note that this is an annual fee and is good for the calendar year. All of your AIS fees will go into the Connecticut Lakes, Rivers and Ponds Preservation account and will be used for projects involving the restoration and rehabilitation of the state’s lakes, ponds and rivers; programs for the control and eradication of AIS and cyanobacteria; and education and outreach programs to promote AIS awareness and understanding.
Some of the Other Invasives Found in Connecticut
Many boaters and anglers are familiar with freshwater invasive plants, in Connecticut these include:Eurasian water milfoil was first found in Connecticut in 1979 and has been documented in a number of locations in Connecticut as well as the Connecticut River. Variable Leaf Milfoil was first discovered in Connecticut in 1936 and can now be found in a number of locations throughout Connecticut. Fanwort was first observed in Connecticut in 1937 and is now widely distributed throughout the state. Water chestnut was first discovered in Connecticut in 1999 and can be found in a number of locations throughout the state including scattered sites along the Connecticut River, several tributaries and connected. Water chestnut appears to be expanding its distribution in Connecticut. Annual plant that spreads via sharp, spiny fruits. More information on invasive species in Connecticut can be found online at: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Invasive-Species/Invasive-Species.
Please prevent new introductions of invasive plants and animals; CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY your boat and gear.
You Can Help! CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. You can help prevent the spread of problem species by following these simple suggestions.
Before leaving a boat launch
- CLEAN—Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment. Remove and discard all aquatic plants and animals, mud and debris you may have picked up while on the water.
- DRAIN—Completely drain all water from the boat, including bilge water, livewells and engine cooling systems.
- DRY—Dry anything that came in contact with the water (boats, trailers, trailering vehicle) for at least one week.
- WASH—Rinse boat, trailer and equipment with hot water (high pressure if possible). A bleach solution can be used to clean livewells. Dispose of all rinse materials properly!
- Do not dump your bait bucket or release live bait! Avoid introducing unwanted plants and animals. Unless your bait was obtained on site, dispose of it in a suitable trash container.
- Do not transport fish, other animals or plants between water bodies. Release caught fish, other animals and plants only into the waters from which they came.
It’s The Law! (CGS 15-180, CGS 22a-381d)
- Boaters must inspect their vessel for vegetation and listed invasive invertebrates (zebra mussel, quagga mussel, Chinese mitten crab, New Zealand mud snail, Asian clam, rusty crayfish) and properly remove and dispose of any vegetation or invasives before transporting the vessel. You can be fined $95 per violation.
- The importation, transportation, sale, purchase, possession, cultivation or distribution of a number of invasive plants including the following aquatic plants is prohibited:
- Curly leaved pondweed, Fanwort, Eurasian water-milfoil, variable water milfoil, water chestnut, Egeria, hydrilla, common reed, purple loosestrife, pond water-starwort, parrotfeather, brittle water-nymph, American water lotus, yellow floating heart, giant salvinia, yellow iris, watercress, onerow yellowcress. Violators can be fined $50 per plant!