Now that fishing and boating season are in full swing, let's remember a few simple steps to reduce the spread of unwanted aquatic species from invading Idaho waters.
Clean. Drain. Dry.
Who needs an Invasive Species Sticker for a boat? (check out the FAQ's here)
Remember, any boat that is registered in Idaho or another state, and any non-motorized vessel (canoe, kayak, raft, drift boat, etc.) need to have the sticker. Inflatable non-motorized vessels must be less than 10 feet in length to be exempted from this requirement.
If you have a motorized boat registered in Idaho, the Invasive Species Sticker included in your registration. Non-motorized boats and need to get the additional sticker.
If you are bringing a boat from out of state, you will need a non-resident sticker available at these vendors.
How do I get the Invasive Species Sticker for my boat?
Idaho Parks and Recreation handle boat registration and invasive species stickers. You can either:
Here's a map of vendors to get the sticker
Check out the Idaho Parks and Recreation boating information page for more details!
Boats (and fishing gear) can carry lots of different kinds of plants and animals between waters, even if you can't see them. Plants like Eurasian Milfoil can hang up on boats and trailers and can spread to other waters, clogging up boat ramps and docks, which can ruin fishing and boating. Remember to pull your drain plugs, empty livewells and remove plants and debris from boats and trailers before leaving the water. As always, its also illegal to transport live fish in Idaho (without a specific permit), so kill any fish you plan to keep before heading home.
Here's more great information from the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on how you can help stop aquatic hitchhikers.