Gateway to Bodie and the High Sierra
New Golden Mussels Watercraft Inspections
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INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS - GOLDEN MUSSELS
Prevention is the only solution! Watercraft inspection is MANDATORY.
New ordinances in Mono and Inyo Counties require inspections before launching any trailered watercraft, including boats and jet skis, into any body of water.
Trailered watercraft must stop at a Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination (WID) station and receive an Eastern Sierra mussel sticker before launching.
Launching without an inspection may result in fines, misdemeanor charges, and/or boat impoundment.
Resident watercraft (Mono or Inyo County): Inspected once per year before the first launch of the season.
Visiting watercraft: Inspected when entering Mono or Inyo County before launching.
Watercraft inspected in Inyo County or Mono County: That inspection is valid in Mono or Inyo County for the same month.
Any boat that launches outside Mono or Inyo County: Must be inspected again before launching locally.
Why this matters
Golden mussels are not here yet and pose a significant threat to Mono County waterways.
They spread easily, reproduce rapidly, and can permanently damage our lakes, fisheries, infrastructure, and local economy. Once introduced, they cannot be removed. Prevention is our best option.
Golden Mussel FAQ
Golden mussels are an invasive freshwater species not yet detected in the Eastern Sierra — and keeping them out is critical.
They spread primarily by hitchhiking on boats, trailers, and gear that move between lakes and rivers. Once they are here, they cannot be removed.
Why Are They Such a Serious Threat?
Golden mussels:
- Attach to almost anything — docks, rocks, boats, motors, pipes, aquatic plants, even muddy lake bottoms
- Survive in a wide range of water temperatures and chemistry, including low-calcium waters like many Eastern Sierra lakes
- Can live outside of water for periods of time
- Reproduce rapidly, spawning multiple times per year and producing thousands of microscopic larvae (called veligers) that are nearly impossible to detect
Unlike quagga or zebra mussels, golden mussels are especially capable of surviving in Eastern Sierra conditions.
Find out more information
Find out more about inspection requirements and information at the Eastern Sierra WID website