AIS Boat Cleaning Stations to Open at Vermilion

As fishermen arrive for the Opener, the Lake Vermilion AIS team is ready. Vermilion’s two boat cleaning stations will be open, and new highway signs will alert drivers to their locations.

The cleaning stations – one on each end of the lake at the Y Store (Tower) and the Country Store (Cook) – support DNR-trained inspectors at Vermilion’s 17 public access sites and 23 private resort, campground, and marina accesses.

The AIS inspection teams and the cleaning stations are key components in an AIS prevention program that begins miles from Lake Vermilion.

“Boaters leaving their previous lake need to drain all water and carefully inspect all their boating equipment for vegetation and prohibited AIS,” said Jeff Lovgren, Lake Vermilion AIS Program leader. “Then, as they near Vermilion, we suggest they stop for a free inspection and cleaning at the Country Store or the Y Store before proceeding to their launch site.”

The boat cleaning stations will initially be staffed from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sundays. An up-to-date schedule can be found at www.BoatCleaningStation.com throughout the summer.

Lake Vermilion boat inspection and cleaning activities are funded by a grant from St Louis County’s AIS Prevention Program.