Governor Dayton Proclaims: Clean Drain Dry Day!

Under cloak of darkness, in search of the elusive walleye, at 12:01 am Saturday, May 12^th, Governor Mark Dayton will cast his line and officially proclaim, Clean Drain Dry Day, signaling the start to the Minnesota Fishing Opener! With over 1.6 million anglers hitting the waters, the Fishing Opener is the perfect opportunity to educate anglers on the importance of invasive species prevention.

WICOLA recognizes that Minnesota communities rely on healthy natural resources and citizens engaged in the fight against invasive species. “By presenting the Clean Drain Dry Proclamation at the 2018 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener, we are all reminded to take action and become part of the solution for protecting our lakes, rivers and streams.”

Working with partners across the state, Wildlife Forever coordinates community-based outreach, marketing and educational resources to slow the spread of invasive species.

 “Clean Drain Dry unites all Minnesotans. Together, we are making a difference. Over 95% of the public comply with state AIS laws. That’s incredible and proof that what we’re doing is working to keep our lakes and streams healthy”, said Pat Conzemius, Executive Vice President of Wildlife Forever.   “We are grateful for WICOLA working to educate the importance of AIS prevention.”

Minnesota is home to some of America’s finest fishing and boating waters. Clean Drain Dry is simple and only takes a few seconds to do. As the national AIS prevention message, visitors from other states are likely to have seen or heard about it from boat inspectors, on television, or new watercraft cleaning stations. Easy behaviors are also reiterated on highway billboards, print ads, even flyers in bait shops and store front windows.

Do your part this fishing and boating season: Clean. Drain. Dry. All boats, trailers and gear.

For additional information, resources, and links on AIS, click on the “Educational Tab” on the WICOLA Homepage and then “Aquatic Invasive Species”