Step 1: Safety!

During the following procedures, please keep the safety of the Mussel Dogs, Dog Handlers and Screeners in mind. The inspection process will take three to five minutes. We appreciate your patience.

Step 2: Pull Vehicle up to the Station

Form a single line of boats. When it is your turn, slowly pull your vehicle up to the front of the line. To ensure the safety of the dogs and staff, put your vehicle into park, turn off your vehicle, step out of the vehicle and await further instruction.

Step 3: Inspection Process

The Screeners will ask you for vital information about your boat’s recent history. This generally includes your last launch location, if you have been out of state/southern CA, or in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta in the last 30 days. The inspection will be performed during this time either visually or with a Mussel Dog. This inspection data is logged into a database to track inspections.

As of April 2026, we are requiring the following during the inspection process. If these requirements are not followed, you may NOT be allowed to launch.

1. Boat plugs must be out upon arrival

2. All vessels must be clean, drained and dry to launch. This includes ballast tanks, bilge pumps, and all other internal compartments.

3. Boaters will be asked to drain the interior compartments of their vessel.

Step 4: Success!

If all goes well, you will pass the inspection and receive an inspection pass. For our frequent flyers, remember you can turn these in for rewards! Thank you for helping us keep Lake Sonoma open for Recreation and Fishing.

Step 5: Exit Inspection

Upon exiting the waterbody, stop by our inspection station for a seal/band to show our inspectors proof of a previous inspection on a return visit to Lake Sonoma. You must have your plug out to be eligible for a seal/band.