1. By: Britani Barletta

4.  Part of the plankton, living in the open water of lakes and ponds, while others live on the bottom or on aquatic plants  They can be found in freshwater to brackish lakes.  These water fleas will appear in late spring and persist in the water until late autumn.

5.  Native to the Caspian Sea  Fishhook water fleas were first discovered in Lake Ontario in 1998  They spread to parts of lake Michigan, Erie, and the Finger Lakes of New York.

6.  Fishing gear  Bait/ Bait Buckets  Boats  Livewell

7.  Why?  They produce A-sexually  Large numbers FAST!  Since, these fish eat plankton or zooplankton they have been the reason for a decrease in many juvenile plankton eating fish  These fleas are hard to notice on a fishing line, therefore they are easily transported from boats, fishing lines, gear, and fishing nets.

9.  Clean all fishing tackle, diving gear, nets, boats, and anything else that may hold water before moving from one body of water to another.  Drain water from boat motors, before leaving an the area.  Empty bait buckets on land; do not release live bait into the water or transfer live animals from one body of water into another.  Discard contaminated fishing line and nets that can not be cleaned.  Inspect and Clean your fishing and boating equipment and remove all mud, plants and other organisms that might be clinging to them.  Disinfect your fishing and boating equipment if it cannot be dried before its use in another body of water. Disinfection recommendations vary depending on the type of equipment and the disease or of concern. Be particularly aware of bilge areas, livewells and baitwells in boats. These areas are difficult to dry and can harbor invasive species  Dry your fishing and boating equipment before using it on another body of water. (For at least 5 days)  Drying is the most effective disinfection mechanism and is least likely to damage sensitive equipment and clothing. All fishing and boating equipment, clothing and other gear should be dried completely before moving to another body of water.