Boating Regulations

The golden mussel, an invasive species, found in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for the first time in North America, can have wide-spread impacts throughout our economy and waterways if allowed to spread. Out of an abundance of caution, SMUD issued these new boating restrictions for Rancho Seco Lake.

· No trailer-launched watercraft will be allowed on the lake.

· Hand-launched watercraft will be allowed, as long as the watercraft has not been used in other waters, including the Delta, within the previous 30 days.

· No live aquatic bait, including all baitfish, crawfish, crabs, mussels, etc., can be used on the lake.

· Small electric trolling motors and other hand-launched watercraft such as hand-launched canoes, rafts, kayaks, rowboats, paddle boats, inflatables, sculls and other hand-launched recreational watercraft will still be allowed on the lake.

· All permitted watercrafts will be required to undergo a watercraft inspection by a certified inspector or canine upon park entry. Inspectors will restrict any boat that has been in any other body of water in the last 30 days or that they deem a risk.

· All watercrafts must be clean, drained, and dry. Boaters will be required to participate in visual inspections of their watercraft.

· All visitors planning to launch any flotation device will receive inspection and must be fully clean, drained and dry before launching.

Please ensure your watercraft is safe and free from invasive species by using this free Expect to Inspect mapping tool that includes free, self-service cleaning stations. Learn more about the golden mussel here.

Thank you for helping us keep the lake safe and free from invasive species.

For more information click here.