Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking anyone transporting a vessel that has been used on Lakes Texoma, Ray Roberts, Lavon or Lewisville to another water body to take the following precautions:

1. Clean all vegetation, mud, algae and other debris from the boat and trailer.
2. Drain all water from the motor as well as the live-well, bilge, bait buckets and any other compartments or systems that hold water.
3. Dry the vessel and associated equipment for a week to 10 days during the months of May through October or for 15 to 20 days from November through April. These drying times are approximations, and conditions such as cooler air temperatures, higher humidity and whether or not the vessel is kept in dry storage should be considered.

These are the easiest preventive measures that boat owners can do to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels.