Letter to the Editor: AIS prevention invests in ND’s outdoor future

Letters to the Editor Letter to the Editor: AIS prevention invests in ND’s outdoor future November 14, 2026 2 min read Trending Gary Korsgaden Park Rapids, Minn. Having spent more than 60 years fishing in North Dakota, Minnesota, and surrounding waters, I’ve watched aquatic invasive species become one of the most serious challenges facing our fisheries. I remember fishing Lake Michigan in the late 1980s when U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists first discussed the growing problem of invasive species with me. They warned that what was happening in the Great Lakes would eventually spread west. Their concerns were not exaggerated. Today, zebra mussels and other invasive species are reminders of how difficult and expensive these problems become once established. North Dakota has taken an important step by establishing a dedicated Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Fund. The 2019 legislation created a funding mechanism supported by fishing and hunting license surcharges and motorboat registration fees. For the 2025-27 biennium, the Legislature appropriated approximately $2.89 million for AIS education, inspections and monitoring through the Game and Fish Department. That is a meaningful commitment. However, funding a program and having sufficient resources to meet the growing challenge are two different things. Prevention, watercraft inspections, public education and early detection deserve continued attention. Once invasive species become established, controlling their spread can be extremely difficult and costly. North Dakota’s lakes, fisheries and boating opportunities are important economic and recreational resources. Protecting them should be a shared responsibility among anglers, boaters, resource managers and legislators. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly our waters can change. We shouldn’t wait until the damage is done to recognize the value of prevention.