10-23 | Waterfowl Hunters: Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species

Oct. 23, 2025

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) encourages waterfowl hunters to take action to protect Texas water bodies from the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and giant salvinia that can degrade waterfowl habitats and block access.

Hunters can make a difference to help protect waterfowl and the hunting experience by simply taking a few minutes to clean, drain and dry their boats and equipment, including decoys and other hunting gear, before traveling from lake to lake. These simple steps help keep these invasive species from spreading to new waters.

Aquatic invasive plants can easily become entangled or trapped on boats and boat trailers or even tow vehicles and be moved to other lakes. Hunters should also make sure they aren’t inadvertently carrying invasive species on other equipment like waders, decoys, decoy bags and marsh sleds by cleaning, draining and drying this equipment as well. A video to help hunters learn how to properly clean, drain and dry their gear can be found on the TPWD YouTube Channel.

Giant salvinia, a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, can produce thick surface mats that impact the ecosystem and aquatic life and make access for hunting, fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible. It only takes a single fragment moved to a new lake to cause a new infestation.

“Giant salvinia is often thought of as a plant that blocks recreational access for anglers and boaters, but it can cause serious problems for waterfowl hunters too,” said John Findeisen, TPWD aquatic habitat enhancement team lead. “Not only does it form thick mats that block hunters’ access to prime waterfowl hunting areas, but it can also outgrow and replace the native plants that waterfowl rely on for food and habitat.”

Giant salvinia is currently present on 28 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes largely between Houston and Beaumont. However, other invasive plants are present in many other lakes, and it is important to be vigilant and clean, drain, dry when leaving any water body.

Zebra mussels, non-native shellfish that attach to hard surfaces, pose a significant threat to our lakes and our economy. These invasive mussels cause costly damage to boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, alter lake ecosystems and cause harm to native aquatic life. They also litter shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.

“Waterfowl hunters can help keep invasive mussels and aquatic plants, that may also have mussels attached, from being moved and harming more lakes by taking a few minutes to remove mud, plants and debris from boats, along with draining all water before leaving the lake and allowing everything to dry completely afterward before traveling to a new location,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Taking just a few minutes for these simple steps can help prevent impacts on ecosystems, infrastructure and recreation, and make a huge difference in our efforts to protect and preserve Texas lakes for current and future generations.”

Zebra mussels are now found in 39 Texas lakes across seven river basins, as well as in reaches downstream of infested lakes. TPWD and partners monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra and closely related quagga mussels. Once they’ve been introduced and established in a lake, nothing can be done to control or eradicate them.

On top of the harm invasive species cause aquatic ecosystems, water infrastructure and the recreational experience at lakes, the transport of these organisms can result in legal trouble for boaters.

Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal and punishable with a fine of up to $500 per violation. It’s also the law that boaters must drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water. They must also remove all invasive plants from the boat, trailer and tow vehicle before leaving a lake.

TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes, but need your help. Anyone who finds them in lakes where they haven’t been reported before — or who spots them on boats, trailers or equipment being moved— can help identify and prevent new introductions by reporting the sighting of invasive species being moved to TPWD immediately at (512) 389-4848 or by emailing photos and location information for new invasions to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.

To learn more about giant salvinia, zebra mussels and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.