Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

Beltrami County offers free watercraft decontamination May (after fishing opener) through Labor Day in September, 7 days a week, by appointment.  Call 218-308-5414 to set up a time.  The cleaning location is 2405 Adams Ave NW, Bemidji, MN (right next door to the Beltrami County Highway Department). 

Free decontamination locations throughout the State of Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Invasive Aquatic Plant Management (IAPM) Program offers grants to local entities such as lake associations, watershed districts, cities, counties, and Tribal governments for management of Aquatic Invasive Species. Funding for this program comes from the Minnesota Invasive Species Account, which is largely funded by the invasive species surcharge on watercraft registrations and nonresident fishing licenses.

For the 2026 season, the Beltrami County Aquatic Invasive Species Program has been awarded four IAPM grants for control of Starry stonewort at public water access sites. The following lakes have been selected for grant-funded management: Bemidji (4013002), Pimushe (4003200), Turtle River Lake (4011100), and Moose (4001100). Management will involve multiple vegetation surveys and mechanical removal and will not impede public use or recreation. Additional information is available on the Minnesota DNR IAPM Grant Program page. 

For more information on these DNR-funded projects, contact Kali Lawver, AIS Technician, Grantee Project Staff, (218) 333-8281, or Kali.Lawver@co.beltrami.mn.us; Brent Rud, Environmental Services Director, Grantee Authorized Representative, (218) 333-4159, Brent.Rud@co.beltrami.mn.us.

Every time you leave a body of water:
Clean - aquatic plants, mud, and animals from watercraft, trailers, and equipment. 

Drain - all water from watercraft and equipment, including bait containers, by removing drain plugs.  Keep drain plugs out while transporting watercraft and verify water is drained.  Lower the motor so you can drain water out of the lower unit.  To keep bait, refill the bait container with bottled or tap water that was not brought out onto the lake. 

Dispose - of unwanted bait in the trash.  Never release into the wild.

Dry - for five hot/dry days.  If unable, spray and flush all water-containing compartments as well as the trailer with very hot water. 

Exposure to hot water 120° F (residential water heaters are set at or close to this temperature) for at least 2 minutes or 140° F for at least 10 seconds will kill adult zebra mussels. 

Volunteer as AIS Ambassadors, zebra mussel and lake monitors, and educate your neighbors and others. 

Schedule a talk at your lake association meeting with the Beltrami Aquatic Invasive Species Lake Technician 218-335-8281. 

Take the DNR FREE on line AIS training 

DNR tips to help prevent the spread of AIS 

Learn to Identify and report new AIS sightings