An increasing number of damaging aquatic species are invading the waters of Connecticut. Zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil are most familiar to anglers but other exotic species may cause problems as well. You can help prevent the spread of problem species by following these simple suggestions!

Before Leaving A Boat Launch:

1. Completely drain all water from the boat, including bilge water, livewells and engine cooling systems.
2. Inspect your boat, trailer, and equipment. Remove and discard all aquatic plants and animals you may have picked up while on the water.

At Home:

1. Rinse boat, trailer and equipment with tap water. A bleach solution can be used to clean livewells. Dispose of all rinse material properly!

Please:

1. Don't 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.
2. 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 from.

It's the Law (Public Acts 03-136 and 04-203)!

• Boaters must inspect their vessel for vegetation and properly remove and dispose of any vegetation before transporting the vessel. You can be fined up to $100 and may have to appear in court for failure to comply.
• The importation, transportation, sale, purchase, possession, cultivation or distribution of a number of invasive plants including the following aquatic plants is currently prohibited:
  • Curly leaved pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
  • Eurasion water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
  • Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
  • Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
  • Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
  • Variable water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum)
  • Egeria (Egeria densa)
  • Common reed (Phragmites australis)
  • Purple loosetrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum)
  • American water lotus (Nelumbo lutea)
  • Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
  • Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
  • Onerow yellowcress (Rorippa microphylla)
  • Pond water-starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)
  • Brittle water-nymph (Najas minor)
  • Yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata)
  • Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)
  • Watercress (Rorippa nasturium-aquaticum)*
    *except for watercress without reproductive structures sold for human consumption.

Violators can be fined up to $100 per plant!

Emerging Diseases

Plants, invertebrates and fish aren't the only invaders. Just as insidious are a number of new diseases and parasites that affect fish (but are harmless to humans). Among the new diseases that have been in the news recently are:

• Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) - Previously associated with salmonids in Europe and some marine finfish, a new strain has been found in the Great Lakes. This new strain affects a wide range of freshwater fish species, and has caused kills, some significant, of a number of different fish species in the Great Lakes. To prevent the spread of VHS, the USDA in late 2006 placed special restrictions on the interstate transport of live fish from the eight states that border the Great Lakes.
• Spring Viremia of Carp (SVC) - This highly contagious viral disease mainly affects minnow species, most notably common carp (including domesticated koi).  Once infected fish show symptoms, mortality ranges from 30 to 90%. First North American outbreak was observed in a koi farm in North Carolina in 2002. The virus has since emerged in wild carp populations in Wisconsin and Illinois, and in koi ponds in Washington State. This virus can survive in water or mud for at least several weeks. USDA is developing regulations that place special restrictions on the importation of SVC-susceptible species into the United States.
• Largemouth Vass Virus (LMBV) - See below for more information.

Help Stop The Spread!

Below is more detailed information on four nuisance species present in Connecticut. There are numerous other freshwater aquatic invaders of concern to Connecticut. Some, including the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus), the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), hydrilla and Largemouth Bass Virus have been found in Connecticut waters. A number of others including the New Zealand mud snail, landlocked gizzard shad, silver, black and bighead carp, and aquarium species such as snakehead fish (family Channidae) and emerging new diseases such as VHS and SVC could eventually find their way to Connecticut.

Zebra Mussel {Zebra Mussel}
Zebra mussels have been found in one lake in western Connecticut (East Twin Lake). Anglers fishing in western Connecticut should use extra care to avoid transporting water, aquatic vegetation, and possibly zebra mussels to new locations.

The Zebra mussel is a black and white striped, bivalve mollusk which was introduced into North American waters through the discharge of ship ballast water. Since its discovery in Late St. Clair in 1998, the zebra mussel has spread throughout the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River system and most of New York State, including Lake Champlain and the Hudson River.

This mussel can clog power plant, industrial and public drinking water intakes, foul boat hulls and engine cooling water systems, and may disrupt aquatic ecosystems. {Alewive}

Alewive (Landlocked)
Landlocked alewives (a member of the herring family) are abundant in many Connecticut lakes and are commonly used by anglers as a bait fish. The widespread use of landlocked alewives as bait has resulted in these fish becoming established in lakes where they can be highly detrimental to other fish species. Once landlocked alewives become established, their population number can increase quickly, allowing them to out compete other fish species for available food. Also, alewives can feed on egg and larval stages of other species such as trout, perch, walleye and bass. Seldom can they be removed from a lake once they establish a population.

Remember - The use of live alewives, blueback herring, gizzard, hickory, or threadfin shad as bait is prohibited in:

Water chestnut is a rooted, annual aquatic plant with triangular-shaped floating and feather-like submerged leaves. Its sharp, spiny fruits wash ashore and can inflict painful wounds if stepped on.

If you find this plant, contact Harry Yamalis at harry.yamalis@po.state.ct.us or (860) 424-3034

Largemouth Bass Virus (LMVB)

• This virus was first found in 1991 at Lake Weir (Florida). Originally thought to be limited to southern waters, this disease has spread northwards into the Midwest and Northeast.
• Although LMBV can infect a number of fish species, it is only known to cause mortality of largemouth bass, and has been responsible for a number of notable fish kills throughout its southern distribution.
• LMBV can be transmitted by consumption of infected prey, through the water, and by fish-to-fish contact. The virus is thought to be most active during the warmer summer months. Because the virus may survive in water for up to a week, it can be transferred between water bodies in improperly cleaned livewells.
• Stress appears to promote the onset of symptoms that can lead to death. Common stressors include warm water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen concentrations, overcrowding in livewells, and improper handling by anglers.
• DEP Fisheries biologists began collecting largemouth bass to test for LMBV in 2005.  Each year, several Connecticut lakes will be sampled. Bass from Amos Lake in Preston have tested positive for LMBV.
• Properly cleaning and disinfecting boats, livewells and gear will help prevent the spread of this virus.  Anglers should never transfer fish between water bodies.

Websites of Interest:

The following websites can provide a good start to learning more about Aquatic nuisance species:

Invasive Species