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Invasive Mussel Prevention Program

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1. What types of water vessels require screening?

Screening is required for all registered water vessels, meaning any trailered watercraft, or jet ski, or float plane capable of being launched into a water body within the County of Lake.

Screening is not required for:

• Nonmotorized Canoes
• Nonmotorized Kayaks
• Car-top boats
• Float tubes
• Rafts
• Wind surfers/boards
• Boogey boards
• Nonmotorized paddle boats
• Nonmotorized sail boats that are eight feet or less in length

2. If I launch my boat in a body of water outside of Lake County, must it be re-screened upon return to Lake County?

If you have launched your boat in a body of water outside Lake County, re-screening is required. If you have any questions, please visit a screening location, and a screener will be happy to review your boating history to determine whether your vessel poses a threat. You will not pay a fee for a re-screening, but will pay a fee for an inspection if required.

3. What is the penalty for launching a boat without Mussel Stickers?

Violation of this law is a misdemeanor, and carries a minimum $1,000 fine. Penalty could include boat confiscation and even a possible jail term.

4. What do I do if I see someone ready to launch without a Mussel Sticker?

Call the Lake County Sheriff's Dispatch at 707-263-2690. If possible, please note the boat's vessel registration number (CF#) and/or vessel description.

5. How much does it cost to get Mussel Stickers?

View our Screening and Inspection page to find fee information.

6. How long are Mussel Stickers valid?

Resident Mussel Stickers are valid for the calendar year issued.

Visitor Mussel Stickers are valid for the calendar month issued.

7. My patio boat has been in the waters of Clear Lake for years, do I need to pull it out of the lake and have it inspected?

Probably not, but this will be determined through the screening process.

8. How do I know if my boat is considered a "Resident Vessel"?

Resident Water Vessel means:

• Any vessel (see note) that has a DMV registration identifying it as being physically located in Lake County
• A vessel whose owner can demonstrate that it is moored or stored at a commercial facility located in Lake County
• Any other means deemed acceptable by the Director of Water Resources as to proof of residency in Lake County providing that the vessel is on the Lake County Assessor's current tax roll for boats

As part of the screening process, you will need to show your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registration. See our Resident Vessels page for more information.

Note: A Water Vessel is any trailered watercraft, or jet ski, or float plane capable of being launched into a water body within the County of Lake. The term vessel does not apply to:

• Canoes
• Kayaks
• Car-top boats
• Float tubes
• Rafts
• Wind surfers/boards
• Boogey boards
• Nonmotorized paddle boats
• Nonmotorized sail boats that are eight feet or less in length

9. How/where do I get Mussel Stickers for my vessel?

• To save time, download and complete the Mussel Screening Application
• Find a screening location (screening locations are also posted at public boat ramps)
  • Visitors: Take your vessel to a screening location, so that screeners can determine whether the vessel is clean, drained and dry. Be sure to bring the registration for the vessel
  • Residents: Take the registration and, if required, proof of residency for the vessel to a screening location

Visit the Screening and Inspection page for more information on the screening process and fees.

10. Can I obtain my Mussel Stickers through the mail?

No.

11. Are any of the screening locations open 24 hours per day?

Not at this time. However, many local businesses offer expanded hours for those who want to launch early in the morning or late in the evening. In addition, staff members at many local lodging establishments are able to offer screening assistance to their guests upon check-in, so be sure to inquire when making a reservation.

Visit the Screening Locations page for list of screening locations.

12. How long will the screening take?

It varies depending on how the boat has been operated in the past 30 days, and how diligent the owner/operator was in cleaning, draining, and drying when exiting the previous water body. Owners/operators can streamline the process by saving receipts or certificates documenting any recent cleanings/and or inspections.

13. What parts of the boat and trailer will be checked during screening?

This depends on various risk factors, but all parts of the boat must be cleaned, drained, and dry. This includes live wells, bait wells, bilges, and areas likely to contain water. If the boat is determined to be a higher-risk vessel, a thorough boat and trailer inspection by an authorized inspector may be necessary.

14. Will I be required to remove panels and floor boards from my boat during the screening?

The bilges, live wells, bait wells, and any other areas that collect water must be cleaned, drained, and dry. The screener will ask the vessel owner/operator to verify this.

15. If it is determined my boat must be decontaminated, where do I go?

The screener will make a determination on the extent of decontamination needed for the boat to pass inspection. Details will be provided as to where and when to take the vessel for the physical inspection and any additional fees. Currently there is one decontamination unit in Lake County owned and operated by the Department of Water Resources.

16. What does decontamination of my boat consist of?

The decontamination process includes power washing with very hot water, flushing of the motor cooling system, draining, and drying of any standing water including bilges, ballasts, and bait wells, etc. Hard to treat equipment that cannot be exposed to hot water can be treated with 100% vinegar for 20 minutes or 1% table salt for 24 hours.

17. How serious is the threat of invasive mussels such as zebra or quagga mussels?

The zebra mussel and its close cousin, the quagga mussel, have become the most serious non-native biofouling pests to be introduced into North American fresh waters. An infestation adversely affects the ecosystem and anyone who uses the lakes by causing mussel colonies to form on all surfaces including:

• Boats
• Engines
• Buoys
• Pipes
• Water intakes
• Ladders
• Beaches
• Native shellfish
• Aquatic vegetation

The most serious measurable economic impacts are suffered by water districts and other users of lake water who may have increased maintenance costs due to plugged water pipes, intake screens, and possible damage to pumps and other equipment. It even impacts citizens who don't use the lakes through increased costs for drinking water and food prices passed along to consumers by the water and agriculture industries brought on by their increased costs in maintenance and equipment repair. It impacts the local fisheries, and in some lakes, has caused a collapse in the populations of sport fish.

These mussels have the ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions and are extremely adaptable. Once they have infected a water body, they cannot be eradicated. They have no predators native to the U.S. They cannot be prevented from spreading into downstream waters.

18. Why did the Board of Supervisors enact an inspection ordinance?

These invasive mussels were introduced into the United States in 1988 in Lake St. Clair near Detroit, Michigan. The mussels are believed to have been released into the Great Lakes Region from the emptying of ballast water from a Eurasian vessel. So although they have been in the United States for 20 years, the zebra and quagga mussels are new to California. The quagga mussel was first discovered in Lake Mead in January 2007, and quickly spread downstream into Lake Havasu, Lake Mohave, and then into Southern California via the aqueduct system. The zebra mussel was first discovered in San Justo Reservoir, San Benito County in January 2008. Since so many boaters come to Lake County from southern California, the Lake County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to protect the water bodies of Lake County from this significant and imminent threat posed by invasive quagga and zebra mussel infestation that can be spread inadvertently through recreational boating.

19. Have any lakes in California been infested with these mussels?

Yes, as of January 1, 2020, Quagga mussels have been found in 42 locations in California and Zebra mussels in 1 lake. Some of them have been closed to boating traffic.

20. What can I do to help?

• "Clean, Drain, and Dry" your boat and all its equipment before transporting it
• Leave your boat out of water for five days in the heat of summer before entering another body of fresh water
• Never release plants, fish, or any other animals into a body of water unless they came from that same body of water
• Report suspected violators to the Sheriff's central dispatch by calling 707-263-2690
• Don't risk heavy fines: always go through screening and get your sticker before launching your boat