Minnesota's fight against invasive species such as zebra mussels and Asian carp includes mandatory boat inspections and fines for failure to clean boats. To State Rep. Steve Drazkowski it's more government that takes away individual liberties.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is going to start conducting random roadside checks in 2012. Conservation officers will inspect trailers, boats and other vehicles to help stop the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species. More decontamination units and watercraft inspectors will also be deployed at infested lakes and rivers around the state.

Got aquatic weeds hanging off your boat or trailer? The fine goes from $50 up to $100 on July 1. The DNR says it'll have 140 inspectors out checking compliance with the boating laws meant to limit the spread of invasive species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Just in time for Minnesota's warm-weather boating season, state conservation officials Thursday released a list of waterways newly discovered to be infested with invasive species such as Asian carp, zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil. Added were nearly two dozen lakes and stretches of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.

Tougher laws aimed to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, like zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas, go into effect Sunday, July 1 -- doubling fines for Minnesota boaters who are caught violating the rules. The Department of Natural Resources says about 20 percent of boaters are not taking the basic precautions to comply with the laws. The new fines range from $100 to $500 dollars.

A new report, commissioned by The Nature Conservancy, says Minnesota spends nearly $8 million a year fighting aquatic invasive species. Minnesota Public Radio notes the fight is complicated because there is no single method to control all the different types of invasive species.

State officials on the lookout for Asian carp have been monitoring the Mississippi River. But there are new fears that the invasive species may use another gateway to Minnesota. Anglers in northwestern Iowa have caught dozens of the carp in waters that connect through streams and lakes to southern Minnesota.