2017 aquatic invasive species (AIS) permits are now available. Call (360) 778-7975 to schedule an appointment to get your watercraft inspected.

Interested in hosting a group inspection in your neighborhood? Call (360) 778-7975 to schedule a group inspection with us.

AIS check stations at Bloedel Donovan, South Bay, and Lake Samish open for the season on April 22, 2017.

This year we’ll be operating pop-up check stations at Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish starting in late March for anyone wanting to get their boats inspected early. Check this site for updates regarding our hours of operation.

2017 AIS Permits and Fees (as of 2/24/2017):

• Annual Motorized/Registered Permit: $50 (Get a $10 discount by taking the online course)
• 3-Day Pass (Motorized/Registered only): $20 (No discount available — Valid for 3 consecutive days only)
• Annual Non-Motorized Permit: $10 (Get a $10 discount by taking the online course)

We’ve just released our annual report highlighting results from our fifth season of watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to Whatcom County waters.

In 2016, we conducted a total of 9,571 watercraft inspections at Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. The inspected watercraft came from a total of 256 different water bodies in 19 different states or provinces prior to launching at Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish in 2016, including eight mussel infested waters. As watercraft continue to arrive from high-risk waters, the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program remains an important defense in the protection of our local waters.

The 2016 inspection results can now be viewed using an interactive online Story Map that shows the last water body visited by boats entering Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. We decontaminated three boats that had recently been in mussel-infested waters and found 140 boats with vegetation and another 201 boats with standing water on board that required some additional attention. Our inspectors used these situations as an opportunity to educate boaters about the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying their boats between every use.

More detailed results from the 2016 boating season can be found in the Whatcom Boat Inspections 2016 Annual Report and by viewing our interactive Story Map.

The Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish Aquatic Invasive Species Check Stations closed for the season on 9/30/2016. Aquatic invasive species inspectors conducted over 9,000 inspections in 2016 in an effort to protect our local waterways.

Inspections will be available intermittently at Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish through 10/31/2016. Call the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program at (360) 778-7975 for more information on hours or to schedule an appointment.

Thank you to all our boaters for a great season! Please remember to clean, drain, and dry your boats and gear to protect our local lakes!

Boat inspection stations at Bloedel Donovan, South Bay, and Lake Samish will be opening for the season starting on April 23, 2016. Inspectors will be checking both the interior and exterior of all watercraft to see that they are clean, drained, and dry and are not at risk for transporting aquatic invasive species to our local waters.

Permits are required for all watercraft prior to launching or operating on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish. For more information on permit fees visit Annual Permits and Fees. You may purchase your permits at the time of inspection by credit/debit card. If you re-take the online AIS Awareness Course in 2016, you may be eligible for a $10 discount to be applied to each annual permit you are purchasing.

Opening Day Hours of Operation (4/23/2016):

Bloedel Donovan: 4:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lake Samish WDFW Launch: 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

South Bay WDFW Launch: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For more information on our seasonal hours of operation visit Inspection Locations or call (360) 778-7975.

From all of our 2016 inspectors, we wish you a very fun and safe boating season!

We are looking for all types of watercraft for our 2016 Watercraft Inspector Training on April 13, 14, and 18. Volunteers will provide their boats for new and returning staff to get familiar with boat parts and inspection and decontamination procedures. We need a variety of boats including pleasure, fishing, PWCs, and ski or wakeboard boats. In exchange for volunteering your vessel, we will provide you with a $10 discount on your 2016 Annual Permit!

Please contact the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program at 778-7975 or email Teagan Ward, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, at teward@cob.org if you are interested in volunteering your boat.

2016 aquatic invasive species (AIS) permits are now available. Call (360) 778-7975 to schedule an appointment to get your watercraft inspected.

Interested in hosting a group inspection in your neighborhood? Call (360) 778-7975 to schedule a group inspection with us.

AIS check stations at Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish open on April 23, 2016. Check this site for updates regarding our hours of operation.

2016 AIS Permit Fees:

• Annual Motorized/Registered Permit: $50 (Get a $10 discount by taking the online course)
• 3-Day Pass (Motorized/registered only): $20 (No discount available — 3 consecutive days only)
• Annual Non-Motorized Permit: $10 (Get a $10 discount by taking the online course)

We’ve just released our annual report highlighting our 2015 Boat Inspection Program results.

In 2015, we conducted a total of 8,949 watercraft inspections at Lake Whatcom and Lake Samish. The inspected watercraft came from a total of 360 different waterbodies in 19 different states or provinces prior to launching at Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish in 2015, including two waterbodies infested with invasive mussels. As watercraft continue to arrive from high-risk waters, the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program remains an important defense in the protection of our local waters. The 2015 inspection results can now be viewed using an interactive online Story Map that shows where boaters are traveling from.

We found 187 boats with vegetation and another 218 boats with standing water on board that required some additional attention. Our inspectors used these situations as an opportunity to educate boaters about the importance of cleaning, draining, and drying their boats between every use.

More detailed results from the 2015 boating season can be found in the Whatcom Boat Inspections 2015 Annual Report (pdf) and by viewing our interactive Story Map.

The Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish Aquatic Invasive Species Check Stations closed for the season on 9/30/2015. Aquatic invasive species inspectors conducted over 8,000 inspections in 2015 in an effort to protect our local waterways.

Inspections are still available by appointment. Call the Whatcom Boat Inspection Program at (360) 778-7975 for assistance.

Thank you to all our boaters for a great season! Please remember to clean, drain, and dry your boats!

Boat inspection stations at Bloedel Donovan and Lake Samish will be opening for the season starting on April 25, 2015. Inspectors will be checking both the interior and exterior of all watercraft to see that they are clean, drained, and dry (weather permitting) and are not at risk for transporting aquatic invasive species to our local waters.

Permits are required for all watercraft prior to launching or operating on Lake Whatcom or Lake Samish. For more information on permit fees visit Annual Permits and Fees. You may purchase your permits at the time of inspection by credit/debit card. If you take the online AIS Awareness Course in 2015, you may be eligible for a $10 discount to be applied to each annual permit you are purchasing.

Opening Day Hours of Operation:

Bloedel Donovan: 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Lake Samish WDFW Launch: 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For more information on our seasonal hours of operation visit Inspection Locations or call (360) 778-7975.

From all of our 2015 inspectors, we wish you a very fun and safe boating season!