Boat check stations open back up

Wyoming is still fighting the good fight to keep invasive mussels from its waters. With boating season underway, Wyoming Game & Fish has opened its check stations for the season.

“Wyoming is one of the few states left in the nation that hasn’t detected the invasive zebra or quagga mussels in our waters,” said Josh Leonard, AIS coordinator in a press release.

“Game & Fish is dedicated to keeping these destructive invasive species out of our state’s waters. That’s why it’s crucial that out-of-state boaters and residents who have taken their boats out of Wyoming get their watercraft inspected before launching on any Wyoming waters.”

Any watercraft that is transported into Wyoming must undertake a mandatory inspection for aquatic invasive species, performed by a certified AIS inspector before launching on any Wyoming waters.

In Crook County, check stations are available at Paradise Foods in Pine Haven and at the Welcome Center in Beulah. Inspections are also available at Game & Fish regional offices, but you must call ahead.

Vigilance has increased since the mussels infested Pactola Reservoir, 30 miles from the Wyoming border. This was determined to have increased the risk to the state’s waters, as it was the closest location where the species has yet been found.

Concerned that many boaters frequent waters on both sides of the state line, Game & Fish increased the hours at its check stations in 2023, a change from the year before when temporary boat ramp closures and other restrictions were put in place at Keyhole, as well as LAK and Glendo.

Mussels can spread easily, even in their microscopic state, from just a little water left standing on a boat.

Game & Fish AIS check stations across Wyoming are resuming seasonal operations, which means all boaters must stop when encountering an open AIS check station on their route of travel.

According to Game & Fish, the best defense against AIS is vigilance by the public. Watercraft owners can make their check station stop quicker if their watercraft are Clean, Drained and Dry upon arrival. Before hitting the water this spring, boaters should remember that:

Any watercraft transported into Wyoming until November 30 must undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching on any Wyoming waterway. If the watercraft was used on a water suspect or positive for invasive mussels in the last 30 days, it must be inspected prior to launching year-round and may require decontamination.

If you don’t encounter an open AIS check station on their route of travel, it is your responsibility to seek out an inspection before launching on any Wyoming waterway.

Along with watercraft registration, watercraft used on Wyoming waters must display an AIS Decal, with the exception of soft- and hard-sided stand-up paddle boards, amphibious vehicles propelled by wheels and non-motorized inflatable watercraft ten feet in length or less.

While not required to have a decal, they still require an inspection when coming from out of state.

A watercraft may launch without further inspection if the watercraft has a properly affixed seal applied by an authorized inspector and is accompanied by a valid seal receipt during transit. You may remove the seal immediately prior to launching on the destination water but you are required to retain the seal and receipt while on the water.