Help stop the spread of invasive aquatic species to Chautauqua Lake!  Invasive aquatic species are non-native plants, animals and/or other organisms which, when introduced into a new ecosystem, can threaten the biodiversity of, functions of and human use of that new ecosystem.  They can also adversely affect human health and local economies.    You can prevent the introduction of these “invaders” by not transporting water, animals or plants from one body of   water to another by performing the following tasks each time you leave a body of water:

• DRAIN water from all equipment (boats, motors, trailers, bilges, live wells, bait containers, etc.)
• REMOVE any mud or plant/animal material from all equipment, including fishing poles/tackles
• DISCARD any removed materials in a trash receptacle away from the lake
• DISPOSE of unused/unwanted bait in a trash receptacle away from the lake
• RINSE boats and other equipment with tap water (preferably hot and/or high pressure) or
• DRY for at least 5 days before using in another body of water
• DON’T RELEASE plants, fish/bait, animals or water into a body of water unless they originally came out of that body of water