Boaters Reminded to 'Clean, Drain and Dry' on Labor Day Weekend, Teal Season Opener

Texas Parks & Wildlife is urging boaters, paddlers and waterfowl hunters to follow “Clean, Drain and Dry” practices over the Labor Day weekend and as teal season begins Sept. 19. The agency says cleaning, draining and drying equipment every time someone visits a lake is the best way to stop aquatic invasive species from hitchhiking to new waters. It notes that transporting prohibited invasive species in Texas is illegal and requires boaters to drain all water from the craft and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or entering fresh water. TPWD highlights zebra mussels and giant salvinia, saying salvinia is present on 30 East Texas lakes.