Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division and Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) conducted boat ramp checks at various Jackson County-area lakes this Memorial Day holiday weekend to detect and prevent invasive non-native aquatic species from being introduced into waterways in the Rogue River valley. The partnership effort, led by OSP Senior Trooper Jim Collom, is part of a cooperative enforcement plan throughout the summer with ODFW to help provide information about the invasive species' potential harm and the consequences of bringing live fish in or out of the waterways.
The first area ramp checks started Saturday, May 23rd, when Senior Trooper Collom and ODFW's Assistance District Fish Biologist David Haight checked boats and boat trailers at ramps at Lost Creek Lake, Takelma, and Joseph Stewart State Park. They checked anglers at Stewart and Takelma ramps to ensure there were no live fish being used as bait. They also looked at boats and trailers to ensure there were no invasive species attached such as mussels or aquatic plants that may have come from other water bodies.
Senior Trooper Collom estimated they talked to about 40 boaters and at least the same number of anglers at the boat ramps, detecting only boat violations for which warnings were issued. Boaters were given information about the potential harm with invasive species, the consequences of bringing in live fish or bringing out live fish, and the various forms of invasive species including Zebra muscles, mudsnails and Hydrilla.
For more information about what you can do to help ensure our waters are not invaded by unwanted aquatic species you can contact Senior Trooper Jim Collom at OSP's Central Point office at (541) 776-6114 ext 392.
