Protecting Wyoming’s Waterways Starts With AIS Inspections

Is it really important for you to get your AIS inspection to put your boat in Wyoming's waterways? Simple answer, yes. Long answer, unless you want to be responsible for the collapse of Wyoming's fishing, boating, utilities, and other industries that rely on water, absolutely, you need to get your AIS inspection.

There are a lot of opinions when it comes to Aquatic Invasive Species and how they're dealt with here in the Cowboy State, but there's one common goal for everyone: keep them out of Wyoming waters.

If you've heard the term, but aren't sure what they are, here's the rundown from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are organisms that are not native and cause significant harm to an ecosystem when introduced. Impacted sectors include municipal water sources, recreation, agriculture, aquaculture, and other commercial activities.

 

AIS including crustaceans, fish, plants and mollusks are present in Wyoming. New Zealand mudsnails and Asian clams are the most problematic of our current populations. While these species cause problems and need to be managed, the most significant known threat to Wyoming is from zebra and quagga mussels. This is based on their numerous demonstrated negative impacts and proximity to Wyoming.

Currently, Wyoming has no known populations of Zebra or Quagga Mussels, and we'd like to keep it that way. You can help in this fight by purchasing your annual AIS decal, which is required to put your boat (as long as it's longer than 10 feet) on any of Wyoming's waterways. The decal costs between $5 and $30, with the price determined by factors such as whether you're a Wyoming resident and the type of watercraft.

To put your boat on the water in Wyoming, you'll also need to have your boat inspected for AIS at any of the statewide AIS check stations. Especially if you're coming from another state in the country.

Game and Fish conducts watercraft inspections at ports of entry, other border locations and major waters around the state. These locations are marked with signs, and all persons transporting watercraft must stop at open check stations.

If you're heading for the water, ensure you know where the closest check station is located to the waterway you're heading to, and there's a great interactive map that can help you. Click this link to find the closest check station. 

Remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry. At an estimated annual cost of $137,000,000,000, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) harm humans, the environment, and the economy. America’s 13 million boaters and more than 42 million hunters share the responsibility to stop the spread of invasive species.