Courtesy Boat Inspector checks for invasive plants during a training exercise earlier this season

Maine’s lakes and rivers are public waters, providing everyone with the opportunity to enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and paddling. With that privilege comes a shared responsibility to protect these waters for future generations. Fortunately, the steps required to do so are simple.

If you operate a motorized vessel on Maine’s inland waters, state law requires the purchase of a Lake and River Protection Sticker. For Maine-registered boats, this fee is included with annual registration. Owners of out-of-state boats must purchase the sticker online or from an authorized vendor before launching in Maine.

Clean, Drain, Dry

Just as important is another responsibility that costs only a few minutes of your time: Clean, Drain, Dry. Before leaving one waterbody and entering another, thoroughly clean all boats, trailers, and equipment, drain all bilges, live wells, and other water-holding compartments, and allow everything to dry completely whenever possible. These simple actions are among the most effective ways to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants and animals such as zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and curly-leaf pondweed—species that have caused enormous ecological and economic damage across North America.

Recent Incident

Recently, an out-of-state boat launched in both Long Pond and Great Pond while unknowingly transporting two invasive species lodged behind a tire on the boat trailer. Unfortunately, the boat launched before our Courtesy Boat Inspectors began their shift (prior to 7:00 a.m.), so the invasive material was discovered only after the vessel had already entered the water.

Invasive plants found on the boat trailer. Left: Curly-leaf Pondweed. Right: Eurasian Milfoil.

The last known waterbody visited by this boat is heavily infested with curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, and zebra mussels. If any of these species become established in Great Pond or Long Pond, the result could be decades of expensive management efforts, degraded habitat, reduced recreational opportunities, and significant impacts to lakefront property values.

The Maine Warden Service was immediately notified and issued the boater citations for transporting invasive aquatic species. While these penalties are important, they cannot offset the long-term ecological and financial costs that local communities would bear if these invasive species became established.

Over the coming weeks, 7 Lakes Alliance staff will be closely monitoring the areas surrounding the public boat launches on both Great Pond and Long Pond to determine whether any invasive plant fragments became dislodged during launching.

How You Can Help

This incident serves as an important reminder that preventing new infestations depends on every boater. Spending just five minutes cleaning your boat and trailer before traveling to another lake can prevent years—or even decades—of costly management and ecological damage.

Every lake user has a role to play in protecting Maine’s waters. Before heading to your next destination, ask yourself:

Have I cleaned my boat, trailer, and equipment? Have I drained all water? Am I doing everything I can to protect the lakes I love?

Five minutes of prevention today can protect Maine’s lakes for generations to come.