Driving to Eastern Washington last week and passed a "Watercraft Inspection Station" near Roslyn.  I rolled thru at around 4 AM so it was closed but  they want you to stop even if you are just hauling a canoe or any type of floating recreation vehicle. 

Apparently they are looking for invasive species like zebra mussels, etc.  I'm not sure how they inspect or how thorough their inspection is.

This is a decent video on the basics.

A-Jay

4 hours ago, 2tall79 said:

Driving to Eastern Washington last week and passed a "Watercraft Inspection Station" near Roslyn.  I rolled thru at around 4 AM so it was closed but  they want you to stop even if you are just hauling a canoe or any type of floating recreation vehicle. 

Apparently they are looking for invasive species like zebra mussels, etc.  I'm not sure how they inspect or how thorough their inspection is.

We’ve had these for years in Minnesota. There are decontamination units on some popular lakes at the access. It’s more or less a glorified pressure washing station. Additionally, there are interns and invasive species volunteers at a number of lake accesses that simply ask us a few questions and remind us to remove all weeds from our trailers and watercraft.  Usually only takes a few minutes. Removing the plug and draining all lake water is state law before leaving the access as well.

I had a dog sniff my kayak for zebra mussels.  Very cool to watch. 

I’ve seen that in several states.  I stopped and asked about it.  The guys manning it said they spray the boat and trailer with hot water which will kill invasive plants and animals.

That's nice that they can clean it. Here in Cali if they find anything on your boat you're banned for a month.

 

I have been through several inspections with my kayak. Not one of these people ever inspected the yak at all. They looked at it on my truck, "yep, it's a kayak", collected my money and let me launch.

 

We had two yaks on the lumber rack of my friend's truck once. No way to inspect from up there, and they didn't try. Never asked to take them down, never opened the hatches, never gave the boat more than a passing glance.

 

Next time I will demand an inspection for my money.

They go over my 10 BassHunter with a fine tooth comb.  I had to open and air dry the pontoons for days once after it got rained on.