Voluntary Boat Inspections Return to Lake Chelan this Weekend

Growing program works to keep aquatic invasive species out of local lake

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:20pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a serene, fog-shrouded lake, with the silhouettes of boats and docks barely visible in the distance, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.The voluntary boat inspection program at Lake Chelan works to safeguard the pristine waters of this natural wonder from the threat of invasive species.Chelan Today

Chelan County Natural Resources is restarting its voluntary boat inspection program at Lake Chelan this weekend, with more inspection days planned for the 2026 boating season. Watercraft inspectors will be stationed at five locations around the lake, typically following a Thursday through Sunday schedule, to check for aquatic invasive species like milfoil and quagga, zebra and golden mussels.

Why it matters

The program aims to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in the pristine waters of Lake Chelan, which could cost millions of dollars to mitigate and cause irreversible damage to the local ecosystem. Early detection and monitoring efforts are crucial to keeping these mussels out of the lake.

The details

The inspection team will rotate among five boat launches on Lake Chelan: Old Mill Bay, Lakeshore Marina, PUD River Walk, Lake Chelan State Park and 25 Mile State Park. The crew will move to higher-trafficked launches during busy holiday weekends, when hours are expanded to Thursday through Monday. Participation in the county-operated program continues to grow, with a 95% voluntary participation rate reported in 2025.

  • The boat inspection program will kick off on April 16-19, 2026.
  • Inspections will continue through September 2026.
  • Holiday weekends will be expanded to five days of inspections this year, up from three days in 2025.

The players

Chelan County Natural Resources

The county agency responsible for operating the voluntary boat inspection program at Lake Chelan.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that provided additional grant funding to allow Chelan County Natural Resources to expand the boat inspection program this year.

Stephen Lesky

The senior natural resource specialist with Chelan County Natural Resources who oversees the boat inspection program.

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What they’re saying

“Inspections are still voluntary, but the more participation from the public, the better to protect against the spread and introduction of aquatic invasive species and keep the lake clean and healthy.”

— Stephen Lesky, Senior Natural Resource Specialist, Chelan County Natural Resources

What’s next

The boat inspection program will continue throughout the 2026 boating season, with the crew rotating among the five launch sites and expanding hours during holiday weekends.

The takeaway

The voluntary boat inspection program at Lake Chelan is a crucial effort to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, which could have devastating ecological and financial consequences for the local community. By expanding the program and encouraging public participation, Chelan County Natural Resources is taking proactive steps to protect the pristine waters of Lake Chelan.