watercraft inspections and Requirements

Idaho Watercraft Inspection Station Locations

Watercraft Inspection Stations are Idaho’s first-line of defense against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Overland travel of contaminated watercraft and equipment is believed to be the single largest vector for AIS movement from one water system to the next. In addition to the inspection station locations, watercraft are inspected during the boating season at roving roadside inspection stations spread throughout the state. These additional inspections help ISDA better understand the boating public, and potential vectors of introduction into Idaho.

More than 1,000,000 inspections have been conducted in Idaho under this program since 2009. Through inspections, 413 mussel-fouled watercrafts have been intercepted safeguarding Idaho waterbodies as well as those traveling through Idaho to the Pacific Northwest.

 
    • Any citizen traveling past a watercraft inspection station with a watercraft or conveyance must stop.

      • Watercraft includes but is not limited to boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other devices used in water.

      • Conveyances include but are not limited to duck decoys, waders, fishing tackle, life jackets, and anything that has touched the water.

    • If a watercraft or conveyance (water-related equipment) has been in a mussel infested water in the last 30 days, they are required to be inspected/decontaminated and must have proof that the inspection/decontamination has occurred.

      • Decontamination for watercraft entering and exiting the Snake River between Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls is mandatory. Any watercraft or conveyance is required to be decontaminated prior to launch and upon exit of the river. The decontamination station is operating at Centennial Park. Call 1-877-336-8676 for more decontamination information.

    • It is illegal to possess or carry invasive species in Idaho, and watercraft inspection stations exist to prevent the accidental introduction of invasive species that could be hitching a ride on water-related vessels and equipment.

    • ISDA has the authority to establish check stations and inspect public and private property for the presence of invasive species. Watercraft and water-related equipment have been identified as the #1 vector in the transport of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and watercraft inspection station are aimed a preventing the introduction and spread of AIS.

    The 2008 Idaho Invasive Species Act (and the Administrative Rules that followed) provides the statutory authority for ISDA to establish watercraft inspection stations and perform inspections and decontaminations on vectors that pose a threat to the introduction of Invasive Species in Idaho.

    The Idaho Invasive Species Act of 2008

    Rules Governing Invasive Species and Noxious Weeds, IDAPA 02.06.09

  • Idaho’s roadside inspection stations are placed on major highways at or near the Idaho state line with the goal of intercepting all watercraft traveling into Idaho. Vessels that are clean, drained, and dry are usually considered low-risk and will pass the inspection most quickly. Vessels with standing water, excessive dirt, and/or aquatic weeds will be considered high-risk and will necessitate a more thorough inspection.

    As you enter into a roadside inspection station…

    1. Follow signs and cone patterns to the designated inspection area.

    2. For inspector safety, please put your vehicle in park and/or shut off the engine.

    3. Each station employs two inspectors. One inspector will approach your vehicle and ask you questions about the history of your vessel’s activities to assess whether or not your vessel is considered low or high-risk. The other inspector will begin inspecting your watercraft to identify if there are any areas of concern they will need to address.

    4. Low-risk vessels that are clean, drained and dry will receive a relatively quick inspection. If your vessel is considered high-risk, more time will be needed to ensure that all that all areas and compartments with the potential to harbor aquatic invasive species (AIS) receive a more thorough inspection. On high-risk vessels, if the inspector identifies areas with concern for AIS, hot water will be applied to decontaminate seen and unseen threats.

    5. When the inspection concludes, the vessel owner will receive a certificate of inspection and/or decontamination wash and you will be free to go.

    Why do I need to have my boat inspected? Aquatic invasive species seriously impact waterbodies. Species like quagga mussel “hitchhike” from one body of water to the next, primarily on boats.

    Do I need to get inspected every time I pass an inspection station? Yes. Our inspectors and police who are enforcing compliance have no way of evaluating the risk of your watercraft without looking at your vessel and speaking with you.

    How long will the checkpoints stay open through the season? The main time period will be from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some stations open earlier, and will remain open longer. The map above will be updated with opening dates as the boating season gets closer.

    What are the hours of operation at each station? During the season, most stations operate during daylight hours. A few stations operate at 18 hours and 24hrs.

    Is there a fee to have your boat decontaminated? There is no fee to have your boat hotwashed or decontaminated. The Invasive Species Sticker covers the cost of the boat cleaning in the event an inspector determines that your vessel is “High Risk”.

  • A mandatory hot wash is required for any watercraft or conveyance entering and exiting the Snake River between Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls. This applies to all watercraft that launches anywhere in this defined area. Watercraft launched at any access points between Broken Bridge (Yingst Grade) and Pillar Falls (i.e. Auger Falls Park and Jerome County north shoreline access) must be decontaminated at Centennial Park.

    • Watercraft includes but is not limited to boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other devices used in water.

    • Conveyances including duck decoys, waders, fishing tackle, life jackets, and anything that has touched the water must also be decontaminated.

    Click Here To View Mandatory Decontamination Area Map

    DO NOT attempt to decontaminate watercraft yourself. Call 1-844-311-4873 for hot wash information. ISDA watercraft inspections and decontaminations are free to the public.

    Decontamination Stations are located at:

    Centennial Waterfront Park
    Canyon Springs Rd
    Twin Falls, ID 83301
    6a.m. to 10p.m. *weather dependent

    Call 1-877-336-8676 for more information.

    As you enter into a decontamination inspection station…

    1. Follow signs and cone patterns to the designated inspection area.

    2. For inspector safety, please put your vehicle in park and/or shut off the engine.

    3. Inspection prior to launch…

      1. Each station employs two inspectors. One inspector will approach your vehicle and ask you questions about the history of your vessel’s activities to assess whether or not your vessel is considered low or high-risk. The other inspector will begin inspecting your watercraft to identify if there are any areas of concern they will need to address.

      2. Low-risk vessels that are clean, drained and dry will receive a relatively quick inspection. If your vessel is considered high-risk, more time will be needed to ensure that all that all areas and compartments with the potential to harbor aquatic invasive species (AIS) receive a more thorough inspection. On high-risk vessels, if the inspector identifies areas with concern for AIS, hot water will be applied to decontaminate seen and unseen threats.

      3. When the inspection concludes, the vessel owner will receive a certificate of inspection and/or decontamination wash and you will be free to launch.

    4. Inspection upon exiting the waterbody…

      1. Approach the station as indicated previously.

      2. Inspectors will apply hot water to decontaminate all areas of the watercraft that came in contact with any invasive mussel or AIS impacted water. This will include the motor, exterior and all interior compartments capable of holding water like the bilge, storage compartments, ballast tanks or bags, and all water related equipment (fishing gear, lifejackets, wading gear, decoys, etc.).

      3. When the decontamination concludes, the vessel owner will receive a certificate of decontamination and you will be free to go.

      4. Ensure your vessel is cleaned, drained and dried before launching in another waterbody.

    Why do I need to have my boat inspected? Aquatic invasive species seriously impact waterbodies. Species like quagga mussel “hitchhike” from one body of water to the next, primarily on boats.

    Do I need to get inspected every time I pass an inspection station? Yes. Our inspectors and police who are enforcing compliance have no way of evaluating the risk of your watercraft without looking at your vessel and speaking with you.

    How long will the checkpoints stay open through the season? The main time period will be from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Some stations open earlier, and will remain open longer. The map above will be updated with opening dates as the boating season gets closer.

    What are the hours of operation at each station? During the season, most stations operate during daylight hours. A few stations operate at 18 hours and 24hrs.

    Is there a fee to have your boat decontaminated? There is no fee to have your boat hot washed or decontaminated. The Invasive Species Sticker covers the cost of the boat cleaning in the event an inspector determines that your vessel is “High Risk”.

  • As long as you always remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry, it doesn’t matter what kind of water-related equipment you own.

    1. CLEAN Before leaving any waterbody, always inspect equipment (boats, planes, trailers, decoy anchors, scuba gear, and lures) for visible plants and animals. Remove this material on site. Carefully check places that are still damp. Dispose of the removed material in a trash receptacle or on high, dry ground where there is no danger of it washing into a waterbody.

    2. DRAIN Eliminate water from all equipment, including motors, live wells, wakeboard ballast tanks, boat hulls, scuba gear, bait buckets, waders, and boots.

    3. DRY Clean and dry anything that came in contact with water (boats, decoys, trailers, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.).

    CEAN - DRAIN - DRY

  • Idaho Invasive species stickers are required for all motorized and non-motorized vessels and that launch in Idaho. Sticker revenue collected by IDPR is deposited in the Idaho Invasive Species Fund (IISF), which is administered by ISDA where funds are used for prevention (primarily), survey, and education.

    For additional information, please use the link below.

    More Information: Invasive Species Sticker

  • Any vessel that has been in a known mussel impacted waterbody in the past 30 days must have their vessel inspected and/or decontaminated.

    If you or someone you know needs to schedule a vessel inspection and/or decontamination, call our hotline at 1-877-336-8676 or use the link below to submit an online request for service.

    Watercraft Inspection/Decontamination Request

    If you would like reach out to your local ISDA Invasive Species Specialist to arrange an appointment directly, use the below link to find the individual servicing your region.

    ISDA Invasive Species Staff

  • The Call Before You Haul program was created to help prevent delays during the transport of watercraft to the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. In addition, this program helps ensure that boat transporters will not violate state or federal laws pertaining to the unlawful transport of aquatic invasive species.

    BOAT TRANSPORTERS: Call 1-844-311-4873 to receive information which will facilitate and expedite the inspection and, if necessary, decontamination of the watercraft being transported. Taking this step can help prevent costly and timely delays.

    Additional Info: Call Before you Haul

  • Link to Regional Station Location Map

    Out of State Watercraft Inspection Contacts
    *** requires a State-specific AIS watercraft sticker/fee before launching.

    Alaska:
    Department of Fish & Game
    (907) 465-6183
    www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=invasive.main

    Alberta
    (855) 336-BOAT (2628)
    http://aep.alberta.ca

    Arizona:
    Game and Fish Department
    (623) 236-7608 www.azgfd.gov/ais

    British Columbia
    (877) 952-7277
    www.gov.bc.ca/invasivemussels

    California:
    Department of Fish and Wildlife
    (866) 440-9530
    www.wildlife.ca.gov/mussels

    Colorado:
    Parks & Wildlife***
    (303) 291-7295
    www.cpw.state.co.us

    Kansas:
    Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
    (620) 342-0658
    www.protectKSwaters.org

    Lake Tahoe:
    AIS Program
    (888) 824-6267
    www.TahoeBoatInspections.com

    Manitoba:
    87-STOP AIS-0
    (877) 867-2470
    www.Manitoba.ca/StopAIS

    Montana:
    Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks***
    (406) 444-2449
    http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/species/ais

    Nebraska:
    Invasive Species Program
    (402) 472-3133
    http://neinvasives.com/

    Nevada:
    Department of Wildlife
    (775) 688-1314
    www.ndow.org

    New Mexico:
    Department of Game and Fish
    (888) 248-6866
    www.wildlife.state.nm.us/ais North

    North Dakota:
    Game and Fish Department
    (701) 328-6300
    http://gf.nd.gov/ans

    Oregon:
    Dept. of Fish &Wildlife, State Marine Board
    (503) 947-6000
    www.boatoregon.com

    Saskatchewan
    (800) 667-7561
    www.environment.gov.sk.ca/invasivespecies

    South Dakota:
    Game, Fish & Parks
    (605) 223-7706
    www.sdleastwanted.com

    Texas:
    Parks and Wildlife Department
    (254) 867-7974
    (512) 552-3465
    http://texasinvasives.org/zebramussels/

    Utah:
    Division of Wildlife Resources
    (385) 239-0861
    www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/invasive-mussels.html

    Washington:
    Department of Fish and Wildlife***
    (888) WDFW-AIS
    https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/invasive

    Wyoming:
    Game & Fish Department
    (877) WGFD-AIS
    http://wgfd.wyo.gov/ais

 

These mussels were found attached to a used vessel sold at auction in Las Vegas.