If your vessel has an intact inspection seal [a wire with a numbered clip loosely connecting the boat and trailer] from the last time it was hauled out of Lake Tahoe, you do not need an inspection and can proceed straight to your preferred Lake Tahoe launch site.

In all other cases:

• If you are heading to Fallen Leaf Lake or Echo Lakes, and you don’t have an intact (yellow or green) seal from the respective lake, you must get a decontamination before you can launch.
• All motorized vessels, including electric, require an inspection and decontamination. New boats and engines are tested in water prior to leaving the factory and are still required to be inspected and decontaminated.
• Trailered non-motorized vessels are required to be inspected and decontaminated.
• There are no inspection or decontamination fees for hand-launched electric watercraft or hand-launched non-motorized watercraft.
• If you own a simple non-motorized vessel, like a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, please visit Tahoe Keepers to learn how to self-inspect and Clean, Drain, & Dry your vessel. If you would like an inspection, please visit any of our inspection locations, and we will provide one free of charge.

In 2025, the Watercraft Inspection Prorgam enacted mandatory decontaminations for all watercraft following inspection. This decision was made to protect Lake Tahoe from the threat of invasive golden mussels. The decontamination fee structure has been updated to support the additional services.

If your vessel has an intact inspection seal from the last time it was hauled out of Lake Tahoe, you do not need an inspection or decontamination and can proceed straight to your preferred launch site on Lake Tahoe. If you are heading to Fallen Leaf Lake or Echo Lakes, and you don’t have an intact (yellow or green) seal from the respective lake, you must get a decontamination.

Following inspection, all other motorized and/or trailered watercraft will be subject to decontamination. Clean, Drain, and Dry your vessel to avoid additional decontamination fees.