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Aquatic Invasive Species
Sticker Requirements

Zebra mussels, quagga mussels, Eurasian milfoil, and other aquatic invasive species (AIS) cause billions of dollars in damage to waterways every year. To combat their spread, many states now require boaters to purchase an AIS sticker, pass a watercraft inspection, or both before launching on public waters. States leading AIS prevention include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Vermont, and New York. Sticker fees are typically low — $5 to $20 per year — but noncompliance fines can be substantial. This guide covers AIS requirements for all 50 states so you can comply before you launch.

All 50 States Covered Sticker & Inspection Requirements Fine Information Included
50States Covered
1Sticker Required
13Inspection Required
24Have Inspection Stations
Sticker requirements & fees
Inspection station locations
Noncompliance fines
Resident & nonresident rates
Official agency links
Why It Matters

Why AIS Prevention Is Critical for Boaters

Protect Native Fisheries
Zebra and quagga mussels filter-feed on the plankton that native fish depend on, collapsing food webs and devastating sport fisheries. A single boat can transport thousands of invasive organisms from one water body to another in trapped water in bilges, livewells, and engine cooling systems.
Billions in Economic Damage
Aquatic invasive species cost the US economy an estimated $7 billion per year in damage to water infrastructure, fisheries, and recreational boating access. Zebra mussels clog water intake pipes, damage boat motors, and cut swimmers' feet. Prevention is far cheaper than remediation.
Legal Obligation
States with AIS sticker requirements treat noncompliance as a violation of watercraft laws, not just a regulatory formality. Fines range from $50 in some states to $500+ in others, and repeat offenders can face boat impoundment. Always check requirements before crossing state lines with your boat.
Clean, Drain, Dry Protocol
Beyond stickers and inspections, responsible boaters follow the Clean, Drain, Dry (CDD) protocol — cleaning all visible debris, draining all water compartments, and allowing the boat to dry for 5+ days between launches on different water bodies. This simple practice stops most invasive species in their tracks.
Filter by region:
50 states
50 states shown
AL
Alabama
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
AK
Alaska
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
AZ
Arizona
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
AR
Arkansas
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
CA
California
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
CO
Colorado
Sticker $25.00
Sticker Req.
View AIS requirements
CT
Connecticut
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
DE
Delaware
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
FL
Florida
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
GA
Georgia
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
HI
Hawaii
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
ID
Idaho
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
IL
Illinois
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
IN
Indiana
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
IA
Iowa
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
KS
Kansas
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
KY
Kentucky
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
LA
Louisiana
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
ME
Maine
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MD
Maryland
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MA
Massachusetts
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MI
Michigan
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MN
Minnesota
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
MS
Mississippi
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MO
Missouri
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
MT
Montana
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
NE
Nebraska
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
NV
Nevada
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
NH
New Hampshire
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
NJ
New Jersey
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
NM
New Mexico
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
NY
New York
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
NC
North Carolina
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
ND
North Dakota
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
OH
Ohio
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
OK
Oklahoma
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
OR
Oregon
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
PA
Pennsylvania
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
RI
Rhode Island
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
SC
South Carolina
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
SD
South Dakota
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
TN
Tennessee
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
TX
Texas
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
UT
Utah
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
VT
Vermont
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
VA
Virginia
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
WA
Washington
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
WV
West Virginia
No sticker required
View AIS requirements
WI
Wisconsin
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
WY
Wyoming
No sticker required
Inspection
View AIS requirements
FAQ

Common AIS Sticker Questions

An AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) sticker is an annual permit required in certain states that certifies a boater has received information about preventing the spread of invasive species. Not all states require a sticker — some use mandatory inspections, some use voluntary programs, and many states have no formal AIS sticker requirement. States like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Montana have robust mandatory sticker or inspection programs, while many southern states rely on education campaigns.
An AIS sticker is an annual permit you purchase, usually $5–$20, that grants you access to launch on that state's waters. A watercraft inspection is a physical check of your boat, trailer, and equipment for attached organisms, aquatic plants, and standing water before you launch. Some states require one or the other; some require both. Inspections are typically free and performed by state-certified inspectors at launch ramps.
Clean, Drain, Dry (CDD) is the universal best practice recommended by all state fish and wildlife agencies for preventing AIS spread. Clean means removing all visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from your boat and equipment. Drain means removing all water from bilges, livewells, bait buckets, and other water-holding containers. Dry means allowing the boat and equipment to dry completely for at least 5 days — or using a high-pressure hot water wash — before launching in a different water body.
Zebra mussels and quagga mussels are the most economically damaging, colonizing pipes, boats, and surfaces in freshwater systems. Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla are invasive aquatic plants that choke waterways and harm native vegetation. Rusty crayfish outcompete native crayfish and damage fish spawning habitat. Asian carp threaten native food fish in the Mississippi basin. All of these can be transported in small amounts of water in bilges, livewells, or attached to boat hulls.
Generally no — each state's AIS sticker is only valid for that state's waterways. However, some states have reciprocity agreements. For example, boats registered in Wisconsin that have an AIS sticker may be recognized in certain neighboring states. When traveling across state lines, check each destination state's specific requirements. It's safest to comply with each state's rules independently.
Noncompliance consequences vary by state. In Wisconsin, launching without an AIS sticker can result in a $200–$500 fine. Minnesota imposes similar penalties. In some states, officers can turn boaters away at the ramp or issue a citation on the spot. Beyond fines, intentionally transporting invasive species across state lines can result in federal charges under the Lacey Act, which prohibits interstate transport of harmful invasive wildlife.