Lake County Invasive Mussel Inspection Program

Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program

The Board of Supervisors has improved the Lake County Invasive Mussel Prevention Program by passing Lake County Ordinance 2915 to better protect the water bodies of the County from possible quagga and zebra mussel infestation.

This ordinance:

• Requires a mandatory screening that includes a physical inspection for any water vessel prior to launching in a Lake County water body.   All vessels are required to obtain either visitor compliance bands or resident inspection stickers prior to launching.
• Applies to all motorized and non-motorized vessels that are trailered.  It does NOT apply to canoes, kayaks, car-top boats, float tubes, rafts, wind surfers/boards, and boogey boards.
• Establishes a fee of  $10.00 for each vessel.
• Bans the disposal of live bait and any liquid that contains or has contained live bait into Lake County water bodies.

Your cooperation and assistance in educating others about this threat is critical to the protection of Lake County lakes and fisheries.

Detailed information about the mussel prevention program is provided here for your convenience. For further information, please call the Lake County Mussel Hotline at (707) 263-2556.