Because the first phase of re-opening Saskatchewan has begun, you can now fish if you are in the southern zone of the province and boat launches are open.

The Ministry of Environment is hoping to spread awareness about aquatic invasive species, some of which have already arrived and others that the province is hoping to keep away.

Fisheries Unit Manager, Matt Tyree, says they can change the natural ecosystem.

Two species the province is trying to keep away are quagga and zebra mussels. They are originally from eastern Europe and are making their way through Canada.

These tiny mussels can clog water intake structures like pipes and screens. They accumulate on docks, buoys, boat hulls, anchors and beaches and attach to the shells of native species, which can kill them.

Tyree says that’s why there is a regulation in place for all boats being towed on Saskatchewan’s roads to have the drain plugs removed.

Otherwise the water remains in the boat and potential invasive species can be moved to a different water body.

Click here for more information on aquatic invasive species.

(CJWW)