Invasive Species Prevention Information

Watercraft Inspections - What to Expect

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will conduct watercraft inspections at ports of entry, other border locations, and major waters around the state. These watercraft inspections will be marked with signs and all persons transporting watercraft must stop at these check stations. Inspections will consist of an authorized inspector asking a few questions to determine the risk your watercraft poses of transporting AIS. If your watercraft is drained, cleaned, and dried, you can expect your inspection to go quickly, an estimated 3 to 5 minutes at the most. The majority of Wyoming boaters can expect this low-risk inspection. If you are determined to be high-risk, the inspection is more thorough and may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the type and size of the watercraft. Thorough high-risk inspections are critical to keeping AIS out of Wyoming. Once your watercraft has passed inspection, you are free to launch your boat.

Any watercraft transported into Wyoming from March 1 through November 30 must undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching in any water of the state. Any watercraft that HAS BEEN in a water infested with zebra/quagga mussels within the last 30 days, is required to undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching during ALL months of the year. Waters positive for AIS are often posted at boat ramps and launches.

LEARN HOW TO PLAY CLEAN GO

The PlayCleanGo campaign is a preventative outreach message that is meant to help elevate the issue of invasive species on a nationwide scale. The intent is to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a clear call to action to become attentive and accountable for helping stop the spread of invasive plants, animals, insects, and pathogens. Play Clean Go isn’t just a slogan for us in Wyoming, it’s a way of life, a code, an attitude that we carry throughout our lives. Whether we are playing outdoors with our families, hiking, hunting, boating, gardening, or horseback riding, we can ALL do our part to prevent the spread of invasive species!