Lake County quagga mussel screening requirements have changed this year.
If you are fishing from a boat in this year’s Catfish Derby, your vessel MUST undergo quagga mussel screening and have a inspection sticker or compliance band before it is launched.
Lake County residents who obtained an inspection sticker in 2008 or later and who have not taken their boat outside of Lake County do not require a new screening or compliance sticker.
A new inspection program for non-local (registered outside Lake County) vessels has been implemented this year. Non Lake County residents who are bringing a boat to Clear Lake now require screening each month they are in Lake County. Compliance bands are valid through the end of the month in which they are issued. The band color will change each month.
Vessels will be screened and compliance bands issued at derby headquarters during registration. Screening and a compliance band will cost $10. You can also obtain vessel screenings and compliance bands at several other inspection locations throughout the county.
All vessels now require a physical inspection before a compliance band or sticker is issued. Vessels presented for inspection must be CLEAN, DRAINED, and DRY.