Reminder From Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

 

Clean, Drain, Dry

It's what boaters do to protect Maine's waters.

Mainers and visitors alike treasure our beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are the heart of our unforgettable summers, whether it's diving in to cool off on a hot day, paddling away the stress of life, listening to a loon call, or reeling in a fish.

That's why boaters and paddlers in Maine are proud to take the extra steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:

weeds on prop  

CLEAN

Clean off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat, motor, trailer, and equipment before leaving the water access site. 

Dispose of the debris in a trash receptacle or a responsible location away from the water. Fines of up to $2,500 may be imposed for transporting any aquatic plants on a public road.
draining boat

DRAIN

Drain your boat before launching and after loading, by moving your boat away from the ramp and shoreline to a location where drained water cannot flow back into the lake, river, or pond. Be sure to drain bilges, live wells, ballast tanks, water trapped within your motor, and remove all hull drain plugs. If you're using a jet boat or personal watercraft (PWC), run the engine for 5–10 seconds to blow out excess water and vegetation from the internal drive before leaving the access site.
drying kayak

DRY

Allow boats and equipment to dry completely before using them in a different waterbody.

 

Maine law requires that, prior to entering and when preparing to leave an inland waterbody, boaters must remove or open any devices (such as hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, or ballast tanks) designed to allow water to drain. This must be done in a manner that prevents drained water from entering any inland waters of the state. Live bait containers are excluded. 
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