The following information is being forwarded on behalf of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
SALEM, Ore. – ODFW staff at the Ashland Boat Inspection Station found golden mussels on a watercraft that was being transported to a new owner from the Sacramento River Delta to Oregon on April 4. The watercraft was decontaminated at the inspection station and all golden mussels attached to the boat were properly disposed.
This is the first detection of adult golden mussels being transported into Oregon. Golden mussels were detected for the first time in North America in 2024 and the threat to Oregon is very serious.
Golden mussels are similar to zebra or quagga mussels, but they can establish in a much wider range of temperatures and can tolerate some water salinity. They feed heavily on microscopic aquatic plants and animals that are essential food sources for native species and sport fish.
Invasive freshwater mussels can damage water infrastructure, such as irrigation and hydropower systems, and also degrade water quality and limit recreational activities such as fishing and boating.
"Early detection like this shows how critical watercraft inspections are to protecting our fisheries, infrastructure, and agriculture," said ODFW Invasive Species Coordinator Keith DeHart. "We are grateful for the boat owner's cooperation throughout the inspection and decontamination process. Their willingness to follow regulations and assist staff played an important role in helping prevent the potential spread of invasive mussels into Oregon's waters."
It is the law in Oregon that any vehicle transporting a watercraft is required to stop at any open watercraft inspection stations for aquatic invasive species inspections.
Watercraft owners should be aware of where inspections stations are located around Oregon. Stations are open if orange, "Boat Inspection Ahead," signs are posted, followed by "Inspection Required for All Watercraft."
Visit MyODFW.com for more information about the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program and Waterway Access permits.
ODFW, in partnership with the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University, has not detected invasive freshwater mussels in any of Oregon's waterways thanks to responsible boaters and inspection station crews. However, Oregon is still at risk of an invasion. In 2025 crews decontaminated 12 watercraft carrying invasive freshwater mussels and intercepted an additional 295 watercraft for other types of aquatic biofouling such as Eurasian Watermilfoil.
Since the start of the Watercraft Inspection Stations program in 2010, ODFW has inspected 246,748 watercraft and intercepted 185 watercraft with invasive freshwater mussels and 3,758 watercraft with other types of aquatic biofouling.
Last month, quagga mussels were found on a watercraft entering Oregon, the first confirmed instance in 2026 of invasive freshwater mussels being detected on a boat entering the state.
Inspection station locations and operating hours:
Ashland: I-5 at the Ashland Port of Entry. Open daily, year-round, during daylight hours.
Ontario: I-84 at the Ontario Rest Area. Open daily, year-round, during daylight hours.
Seasonal inspection stations located in Brookings, Klamath Falls, Umatilla, and at Owyhee Reservoir will be opening the first week of May. ODFW will also have roving inspection crews working boat ramps and other access points around the state this year.
If you find invasive freshwater mussels on a vessel, please help protect Oregon and report them to the Oregon Invasive Species hotline by calling 1-866-INVADER or visiting https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org.