Stop Giving Aquatic Hitchhikers A Free Ride
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Every time you move your boat, kayak, or any aquatic gear from one lake to another, you could be carrying invisible invaders. Here’s what you can do about it.
Back in the ’70’s, a cargo ship entered the Great Lakes carrying an unwanted passenger. A small alga from Eurasia was hiding in the ship’s ballast. And as the water was emptied, so was the highly invasive Stary Stonewort. Since then, the species has hitchhiked its way throughout the entire northern lakes region.
In Indiana, Starry Stonewort was discovered in Lake Wawasee in 2008. Since then, the algae have spread to over 40 lakes in northern Indiana.
Stories like this are far from unique. Invasive aquatic species consistently hitchhike on boats, trailers, kayaks, and fishing gear. They are moving from lake to lake through the everyday habits of well-meaning recreationists.
Unfortunately, these invasive hitchhikers can be very damaging to aquatic ecosystems. They multiply rapidly, outcompeting native wildlife, destroying habitats, and can even cause costly damage to water infrastructure.
Aquatic hitchhikers are invasive, opportunistic organisms that “hitch a ride” on watercraft, trailers, anchors, gear, in bait containers, and more— then establish themselves in new waters where they have no natural predators to keep them in check.
What counts as an aquatic hitchhiker?
Virtually any living creature could act as a hitchhiker. If it survives the trip, it can be introduced to a new body of water.
These are the most common aquatic hitchhikers in our region.
Fish
Baby fish and eggs can be trapped inside boats and livewells — and released unnoticed into a new water body
Invertebrates
Crustaceans and mollusks, like zebra mussels, are dangerous spineless hitchhikers. They attach to hard surfaces and filter out the nutrients native species depend on.
Disease & Pathogens
Diseases can spread through water transfers or via infected fish and invertebrates moved between water bodies.
Plants & Algae
Fragments lodge between boat hulls and trailer bunks. Because many aquatic plants survive hours, or even days, out of water, they spread easily and silently.
The good news? You have the power to stop them. With three simple steps — Clean, Drain, Dry — every recreationist can protect the waters they love.
Three Simple Steps to Save Lakes
1. CLEAN
- Remove all visible plants, mud, and animals from equipment before leaving the water access site
- Rinse hulls with high-pressure hot water
- Rinse interior compartments with low-pressure hot water
- Flush the motor with hot water for 2 minutes
2. DRAIN
- Drain motor, bilge, livewell, and all water-holding compartments
- Do this before leaving the water access area
- Open all drain plugs and keep them out during transport
3. DRY
- Allow all equipment to dry for at least five days before entering a new water body
- Or thoroughly wipe down with a dry towel before reuse
Additional step for anglers: Discard unwanted bait, worms, and fish parts in the trash, never in the water. If keeping live bait, drain your bait container and replace with spring water or dechlorinated tap water. Never transfer live fish or other organisms from one body of water to another.
Just one invasive organism— a single mussel larva, a clump of Starry Stonewort, a piece of hydrilla— can colonize an entire lake in just a few years. The stakes are real, and your actions matter every single time you hit the water.
You can learn more about aquatic hitchhikers and how to stop them at https://stopaquatichitchhikers.org/
