Vermont officials are reminding anglers and boaters to prevent the spread of spiny water fleas, an invasive species found in Lake Champlain two years ago that is becoming more common in the lake.
The spiny water flea is native to Eurasia and arrived in the Great Lakes in ballast water in the 1980s. It competes with native species for food and can foul fishing lines.
A Lake Champlain Basin official says boat launch stewards have been hearing about sightings by anglers in the last month and last week removed the first sample of spiny water fleas off a boat's downrigger cable during an inspection.
The best way to prevent their spread is by letting fishing and boating equipment dry out.
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