All Boaters: Stop at Aquatic Invasive Species Inspection Stations Around Oregon

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

by OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Staff
4-16-2019
Website

Aquatic invasive species inspections are required for all watercraft entering Oregon if the inspection station is open. Located around Oregon, stations are open if large orange “Boat Inspection Ahead” signs are posted followed by “Inspection Required for All Watercraft.”

Inspecting boats coming into the state is the first line of defense in keeping aquatic invasive species such as zebra or quagga mussels, snails and aquatic plants out of Oregon. These invaders can cost millions in damage to water delivery systems and serious environmental damage to our rivers, lakes and native aquatic species.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife inspection stations in Ashland and Ontario are open year-round. Seasonal stations open tomorrow in Brookings, Klamath Falls, Lakeview and Umatilla.
Inspections for aquatic invasive species typically take just five to 10 minutes. Watercraft found with aquatic invasive species attached is decontaminated on the spot. Both boat inspections and decontaminations, if needed, are free.

“It’s important boaters stop at these stations, get a free boat inspection, and help keep aquatic invaders out of Oregon and Pacific Northwest waters,” said Rick Boatner, ODFW Invasive Species Supervisor. “People who stop at these stations are directly contributing to our success in keeping aquatic invasive zebra and quagga mussels, snails, and aquatic plants out of Oregon.”

All vehicles towing or carrying motorized or non-motorized boats, including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats must stop. Boatner said anyone hauling a boat who doesn’t stop at an open station could receive a $110 fine. For boat safety inspections, contact your local county sheriff marine patrol or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permits are also required for most boaters in Oregon. Non-motorized boats (paddlecraft) 10 feet and longer require a permit as do all motorized boats. Permits are available at ODFW license sales agents or ODFW offices that sell licenses, at Marine Board dealers and online via Oregon State Marine Board or ODFW. Permit sales provide funding for the six boat inspection stations.

“Everyone who boats needs to make sure they always practice “Clean, Drain, and Dry” before putting their boat in at another water body. And anglers should be vigilant about cleaning and drying all their gear after each use,” Boatner said.

ODFW technicians are specifically trained to inspect for aquatic invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels that can range in size from microscopic to up to two inches and attach themselves to many areas on boats that are hard to see. They can also live as long as 21 days out of water. New Zealand mud snails are just three to six millimeters long and easily attach themselves to boots, waders and fishing gear.

In 2018, technicians inspected 28,190 watercraft coming into Oregon and found 365 with aquatic invasive species. Aquatic vegetation, marine and freshwater organisms contaminated 354 of those boats and the remaining 11 had quagga or zebra mussels attached. Contaminated boats came from Arizona, California, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Texas.

ODFW Photo, suggested caption: Quagga mussels were found on the rudder of a boat coming into Oregon.

Contact: Rick Boatner, 503-947-6308

Meghan Dugan, 541-464-2179




More Reports

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Wednesday, April 10th, 2019

John C Boyle Reservoir: Brown Bullhead Catfish Are Your Best Bet
: Catch Rates Remain Low
Yellowjacket Lake: Can't Get Within 2 Miles of The Lake
Sprague River: Sprague River Early April Update
Warm Springs Reservoir: 49 Percent Full
Willow Valley Reservoir: Bass FIshing Good In April
Klamath River - Upper - CA: Flows Are High
Klamath River - Middle: Fishing Not Recommended Due To High Flows
Klamath River - Lower: Challenging Fishing Conditions Right Now
Phillips Reservoir: 26 Percent of Capacity and Increasing
Pilcher Reservoir: Fishing is Not Advised
Devils Lake: Reservoir is Ice Free
Dog Lake: Perch Fishing is Good
Blitzen River: Spring Run Off is Here
Ana River: Great For Match-The-Hatch
Ana Reservoir: A Few Hybrid Bass Are Being Caught
Gerber Reservoir: Yellow Perch or Brown Bullhead Catfish Are Best Fishing Right Now
Tenmile Lakes: Fishing Beginning To Turn On
Lemolo Lake: Fishing Can Be Good After Snow Melts
Loon Lake: Fishing is Picking Up
Lost Creek Lake: First Stocking Last Week
Umpqua River: Umpqua River Early April Update
Rogue River- Lower: Anglers Still Catching Winter Steelhead
Rogue River - Middle: Anglers Are Catching Winter Fish
Chetco River: Fishing Closed Until May 22
Diamond Lake: Ice May Start To Break Any Day
Applegate Reservoir: Successful Trolling
Arizona Pond: Stocked Early Last Month
Lake Selmac: Anglers Having Good Success
Smith River: Great Place For Winter Steelhead
Saunders Lake: Recent Rainbow Trout Stocking
Rogue River- Upper: Upper Rogue is Extremely High
Lake Marie: Stocked Week of April 1
Roulet Pond: Pond is Ice Free
Wallowa Lake : Currently Frozen
Wallowa River: River is Blown Out
Ladd Peach Pond: Tagged Fish Could Have a $50 Reward
John Day River: Flows Are High
Lake Billy Chinook: Anglers Reporting Success With Bull Trout
Metolius River: Good Trout Fishing
Hood River: River is High and Off Color
Deschutes River: River Won't Be Fishable For At Least Another Week
Green Peter Reservoir: Completely Full
Hills Creek Reservoir: Fishing Should Get Better This Week
Detroit Reservoir: Early Season Fishing Can Be Good

OR Department of Fish & Wildlife Reports
for Thursday, April 4th, 2019

Howard Prairie Reservoir: Majority of Ice Has Melted
Rogue River- Upper: Expect More Winter Steelhead To Show Up
Rogue River - Middle: Trout Fishing Closed Till May 22
Rogue River- Lower: Early Spring Chinook
Umpqua River: Umpqua Early April Update
Hood River: Push of Winter Steelhead
Willamette River: Spring Chinook Fishing is in Full Swing
Eel Lake: Early April Eel Lake Update
Garrison Lake: Early April Garrison Lake Fishing Report