Invasive Mussels

Mussel Fee Sticker Request from DMV

Purchase your Mussel Fee Sticker from DMV. This online system allows you to purchase a Mussel Fee Sticker. Unless used exclusively in marine (salt) waters or specifically exempted by law, owners of motorized recreational vessels used in freshwater are mandated by law to display a current sticker.

Get Your Mussel Fee Sticker from DMV
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For a list of reservoirs, reservoir restrictions, and their contact information, please go to the following webpage: Reservoir Contact and Watercraft Inspection Information

Outreach materials for waterbody managers/owners can be found here: Invasive Mussel Toolkit

More Information on the Mussel Fee Sticker

To purchase the Mussel Fee Sticker online, please go to the following website: Mussel Fee Sticker Request - California DMV

California registered vessels operating in freshwater within the state are required to display Mussel Fee Stickers (one on each side of the hull) next to the current registration sticker. Paying the Mussel Fee does not entitle vessels to bypass inspections or fees for inspections conducted by individual reservoir owners or managers. Owners of vessels used exclusively in marine waters are exempt from purchasing or displaying the sticker, as are exempt government vessels. 

Mussel Fee Sticker FAQs. 

If you are experiencing issues with attaching your Mussel Sticker onto your vessel please follow the procedures below.

Decal Removal and Application Procedure:

  • Before applying decal – be sure to wipe down the surface and remove residue or debris.
  • Do not apply decal to a wet surface.
  • Use the center slit to grab the upper corner of the decal.
  • VERY SLOWLY peel away decal, at a sharp angle, from liner.
  • If the backer liner starts to rip – STOP and start to peel away from the other direction.
  • You must remove all of the liner backing material for the decal to adhere to the vessel correctly.
  • Apply decal to vessel and smooth out any air bubbles with a squeegee or credit card.


Monies collected via the Mussel Fee will aid in infestation prevention efforts through grant funding administered by California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. This grant is open to eligible agencies that own or manage a reservoir that permits recreational activities such as boating and fishing, is open to the public and is currently uninfested with the dressenid mussel.

Golden Mussel Information

Non-native and invasive golden mussels have been spotted in California. 

  • Please report organisms observed in California suspected to be golden mussels to CDFW's Invasive Species Program (see below). Include the specific location of the observation, and at least one clear close-up photograph of the organism, and your contact information. Submit the reports via one of the following options:
  • For more information on golden mussels refer to CDFW's webpage: California’s Invaders: Golden Mussel

Clean, Drain, and Dry

Quagga and Zebra (Dreissenid) mussels pose a serious threat to California's waters and fisheries. The spread of these freshwater mussels threatens recreational boating and fishing, aquatic ecosystems and fisheries, water delivery systems, hydroelectric facilities, agriculture and the environment in general. As a means to stop the spread of these harmful invasive mussels, California is asking boaters to clean, drain and dry their boats!

To clean, drain, and dry means to take the following steps:

  • Inspect all watercraft and equipment.
  • Clean all aquatic plants, animals, and mud, from your watercraft, motor or trailer and discard in the trash. Rinse, scrub, or pressure wash, as appropriate away from storm drains, ditches, or waterways. Lawns gravel pads, or self-serve car washes are best.
  • Drain your motor, lower outboard unit, ballast, live-well, buckets, and anything else that contains water on land before leaving the waterbody. For paddle boats, drain by inverting or tilting the craft, opening compartments, and removing seats if necessary. Rinse or flush under flooring, at inflation chamber joints, or other areas that can trap mud and debris.
    • Collect any bilge water that contains petroleum products, while draining water from vessel. If absorbents were used and the bilge water contains petroleum products, the absorbents should be disposed of at a county household hazardous waste collection facility.
  • Dry your watercraft between uses. Leave compartments open and sponge out standing water. Find a place that will allow the anchor line to dry. Dry everything with a towel before reuse or air dry for at least five days in warm dry weather, up to 30 days in cool moist weather.

Boaters should be prepared for inspections throughout the state designed to help ensure California's waterbodies remain mussel-free. Properly cleaning and drying can help protect boats and help boaters avoid quarantines or being turned away from a water destination. In addition to being sure to clean, drain and dry watercraft, the Division of Boating and Waterways urges boaters to plan for possible launch restrictions and inspections by calling waterbodies before leaving home. Programs and requirements vary and can change rapidly.