Milfoil Inspections

[riptide09]

I have launched in Maine lakes 3 times this year. Each time there has been a person at the ramp with a clipboard collecting information on my boat, where I have been using it etc. The person then performs an inspection looking for invasive species, specifically Milfoil. This has happened at China Lake, China Maine and twice at Long Lake in Naples Maine.

I also know that Mass won't let you launch your boat in the Quabbin until you have had it inspected. They force you to get an inspection and pay for it and then they put a seal on your prop. If the seal is intact you can launch, if not you are out of luck. On your way out of the Quabbin they put the seal back on so if you only boat in the Quabbin you only pay once for inspection once.

I am curious how common this is becoming in other areas of the country.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

In MN the DNR will occassionally do milfoil and/or zebra muscle inspections at the launch on some of our lakes. Sometimes they even have a steam cleaner and will clean your hull to make sure there are no zebra muscles.

Usually it's a couple of college kids that they hire for the summer to do the inspections. Doesn't cost anything.

Havn't run into any of them this year

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

I cannot imagine why they'd bother in Long Lake, there's already milfoil in there, but I suppose there's other invasive species to be concerned with. I have never seen any inspectors at the Long Lake ramp in Bridgton. I see them all the time at the Highland Lake ramp in Bridgton though. That lake does not have milfoil.

I have been boating in Maine for years and know to get my sticker before the season starts. I find it irksome that towns will put out inspectors but the inspectors don't sell the stickers you need to legally boat in Maine. I imagine an out-of-state family arrving at a boat ramp on a perfect Sunday morning with an invasive-species-free trailer boat and getting turned away by an inspector because they lack a $20 sticker that they cannot buy anywhere on a Sunday. That would suck.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

I cannot imagine why they'd bother in Long Lake, there's already milfoil in there, but I suppose there's other invasive species to be concerned with.

Around here that is why they are checking - to make sure that you are not taking any with you, not bringing it in.

 

[Kracken]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

I cannot imagine why they'd bother in Long Lake, there's already milfoil in there, but I suppose there's other invasive species to be concerned with. I have never seen any inspectors at the Long Lake ramp in Bridgton. I see them all the time at the Highland Lake ramp in Bridgton though. That lake does not have milfoil.

I have been boating in Maine for years and know to get my sticker before the season starts. I find it irksome that towns will put out inspectors but the inspectors don't sell the stickers you need to legally boat in Maine. I imagine an out-of-state family arrving at a boat ramp on a perfect Sunday morning with an invasive-species-free trailer boat and getting turned away by an inspector because they lack a $20 sticker that they cannot buy anywhere on a Sunday. That would suck.

hey Mischief, good to see ya.

That is one of the many reasons I have stopped bringing the boat to Long/Brandy/Sebego. They started the Milfoil sticker thing a few years back, $20.00 to help protect the lakes from invasive species, that is completely laughable. Every time I retrieve from that place I had milfoil hanging from the outdrive. I am not talking once, twice or even 10 times?every single time. They should be paying me for cleaning out the lakes.

I could start talking about my buddy ?Moose? but that would be difficult to keep it civil.

 

[wroberts840]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

The only lake by me is silver lake in tamworth nh they inspect and wash your boat and trailer. Its not really a big deal and its free.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

You guys ought to have to deal with hydrilla...

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Milfoil Inspections

In Lake Tahoe they are now charging from $30-$125 for a trailer/boat inspection and quicky rinse job, plus sticker; to try and prevent quagga and zebra mussels from getting into the lake. At least it's good for the entire year, even if you travel to other bodies of water.