Lake San Antonio Boaters: 30-Day Mussel Rule and Lake-Specific Inspection Bands

PLEYTO, Monterey County — October 29, 2026. Boaters headed to Lake San Antonio North Shore face a specific set of invasive-mussel prevention requirements. Monterey County’s lake policy says every vessel must be cleaned, drained and dry before inspection. The rules were announced in December 2024 after golden mussels were identified elsewhere in California; they should not be mistaken for a new finding of an infestation at Lake San Antonio itself.

Thirty days after a potentially infested lake

County rules state that a vessel last used in a known or suspected infested waterbody must wait at least 30 days before inspection at San Antonio or Nacimiento. It must be thoroughly cleaned, drained and dry, and the wait restarts if the boat fails the drying requirement. Any boat that arrives wet during rain can be refused launching unless it has an intact band issued at that same ramp.

Will a Lake Nacimiento band work?

No. Monterey County expressly stopped accepting inspection bands between the two lakes. A Lake Nacimiento band cannot substitute for a San Antonio inspection. A boat permit or campground payment also does not replace the mandatory screening.

Inspection hours and possible penalties

Lake San Antonio’s current parks listing gives North Shore vessel inspection hours as 7 a.m.–7 p.m., seven days a week, subject to changes in operation. The county warns that vessels without a current inspection certificate may face a $2,000 fine. Boaters should check staffing and launch conditions before traveling.

How to prevent mussel transport

Drain water from bilges, live wells, cooling systems and other compartments, then allow the boat and trailer to dry fully. California Fish and Wildlife provides identification resources and statewide mussel maps. Monterey County lists the Mussel Hotline at 1-866-440-9530 and Parks reservations at (831) 755-4895.

Sources: Monterey County — December 20, 2024, golden mussel inspection rule change; Monterey County — Lake San Antonio hours, inspections and penalties.

Editorial note: This is a specific lake biosecurity guide, separate from the previously published North Shore gate-hours notice, and does not claim a golden mussel detection at this lake.

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