Starting today, July 1st, 2010, if you have your drain plug in, while transporting your boat on any roadway in Minnesota, you could be subject to a $250.00 fine

Regulations on transport of water

As of July 1, 2010, the following regulations, apply to the transportation of water by boaters from all waters in the state (violations are misdemeanors):

• a person leaving waters of the state must drain boating-related equipment holding water and live wells and bilges by removing the drain plug before transporting the watercraft and associated equipment on public roads; and
• drain plugs, bailers, valves, or other devices used to control the draining of water from ballast tanks, bilges, and live wells must be removed or opened while transporting watercraft on a public road (marine sanitary systems and portable bait containers are excluded from this requirement).

This law is to help prevent spread of aquatic invasive species, particularly zebra mussels.  I always do this, I think its a good practice, plus you don’t want that extra water sitting in your boat anyways.  Hope this heads up saves a few of you $250!

Rich