The weather is warming up, and if you are starting to make plans to take the boat out to the lake, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to remind you of a few requirements before you hit the water. Anyone who launches a boat or any other watercraft in Utah is required to take an annual mussel-aware boater course. This includes individuals with paddle boards, kayaks and other nonmotorized watercraft. Anyone who wants to launch a motorized boat must also pay an annual aquatic invasive species program vessel enrollment fee that is separate from a boater registration fee. When leaving any waterbody and when transporting watercraft, any drain plugs and sea strainers must be removed. Always follow the posted inspection and decontamination requirements for each waterbody. The boater registration payment can be made through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles, and the aquatic invasive species fee can be paid online. The annual mussel-aware boater course must be completed before the aquatic invasive species program vessel enrollment fee can be paid, and then a current-year boat decal will be mailed to you. Visit wildlife.utah.gov for more information.
