With summer approaching and Lake Billy Chinook drawing boaters from across Central Oregon and beyond, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has been sounding the alarm on a requirement that some local residents still overlook: Oregon's mandatory boat inspection program for aquatic invasive species.

The Sheriff's Office held a boat inspection event at Madras Marine on Saturday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and has urged all boaters who haven't yet completed their 2026 inspection to do so before launching.

Why Inspections Matter

Aquatic invasive species — particularly quagga and zebra mussels — pose a catastrophic threat to Oregon's freshwater ecosystems. These small mollusks can travel from infested water bodies on the hulls, propellers, and bilge water of boats that haven't been properly cleaned, drained, and dried.

Once established, quagga and zebra mussels are virtually impossible to eradicate and can devastate fisheries, clog water infrastructure, and fundamentally alter the ecology of lakes and reservoirs. They have already spread across much of the eastern United States and have been found in multiple western states.

Oregon has maintained an aggressive inspection and decontamination program to keep them out. Lake Billy Chinook, the Deschutes River system, and the region's other water bodies are among the resources the program is designed to protect.

What You Need

Oregon requires boaters to:

  • Complete an aquatic invasive species (AIS) inspection before launching at most Oregon water bodies
  • Drain all water from the boat, motor, and equipment before transport
  • Have a valid 2026 AIS decal on their watercraft

Inspections can be completed at authorized inspection stations, including at boat launches operated by the Oregon State Marine Board. The annual fee helps fund the inspection program statewide.

Where to Get Inspected

Boaters in Jefferson County can contact the Sheriff's Office or check the Oregon State Marine Board website (boatoregon.com) for current inspection station locations and hours. Madras Marine, located in Madras, has previously hosted inspection events and can be a resource for local boaters.

Launching without a valid 2026 inspection can result in a fine. More importantly, it puts Oregon's fisheries at risk. The Sheriff's Office is asking every boater to do their part before hitting the water this season.