Preparing your dock, lift, and water toys for winter

Winter’s Coming!

As we start getting ready to remove boats, lifts, dock and water toys, the DNR says:

  • Carefully inspect everything to make sure there are no aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, or New Zealand mudsnails attached.

  • Look on the posts, wheels, and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons, and rafts that may have been submerged in water for an extended period. In newly infested waters, adult zebra mussels may not be abundant and you might notice only a few mussels on your equipment.

  • If you think you have discovered an invasive species that has not already been confirmed in your lake contact your area DNR aquatic invasive.

Storing lifts and docks for winter

You may remove water-related equipment from a water body – even if it has zebra mussels or other prohibited invasive species attached – and place it on the adjacent shoreline property without a permit.

However, if you want to transport a dock or lift to another location for storage or repair, you may need a permit to authorize transport of prohibited invasive species and aquatic plants. (Fortunately, Lone Lake doesn’t have this issue yet.)

Transporting watercraft for storage

You may not transport any watercraft with zebra mussels, faucet snails, or other prohibited invasive species or aquatic plants attached away from a water access or other shoreland property, even if you intend to put it in storage for the winter.

If you need to transport your watercraft at the end of the season, you may need a permit to authorize transport of prohibited invasive species and aquatic plants.

General Permits and more info:

  • Transport Aquatic Plants and Prohibited Invasive Species from Riparian Property to a Disposal Location (General Permit 2015-002) (PDF)

  • Transport Watercraft with Prohibited Invasive Species for Cleaning or Storage (General Permit 2015-003) (PDF)

  • Transport Boat Lifts, Docks or Other Water-Related Equipment with Prohibited Invasive Species Attached for Repair, Storage or Cleaning (General Permit 2015-004) (PDF)

  • Transport construction Equipment with Prohibited Invasive Species Attached for Cleaning, Repair or Storage (General Permit 2015-005) (PDF)

  • Businesses to Transport Aquatic Plants and Prohibited Invasive Species to a Disposal Location (General Permit 2015-006) (PDF)