Watercraft Inspection & Decontamination

It is mandatory to have all motorized and non-motorized watercraft inspected prior to launching in Whitefish Lake. High risk watercraft must also be decontaminated (Section 13-5-3 of the Whitefish City Code).

Whitefish City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park Inspection Stations

Inspection Station Hours

• May and September: 7 am to 9 pm
• June through August: 7 am to 10 pm

The City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park boat ramps will be closed but not locked after staffed watercraft inspection hours. Boats coming off the lake after hours will be able to exit the lake by removing and replacing the chain. Motorized watercraft may not launch before or after staffed inspection hours. Inspection stations are closed October 1st through April 30th. 

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention & Decontamination Station

Located on the corner of Edgewood Place and Washington Avenue near Whitefish City Beach.

Decontamination Station Hours

• Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• September, Weekends: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except 9/11/21)
• September, Monday-Friday: Decontaminations available by appointment,10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Call 406-212-0750 to schedule.
• September 11: Decontaminations available at Fish, Wildlife and Parks from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 490 N Meridian Road in Kalispell. Call 406-751-4559 or 406-260-1114 to schedule.

Decontamination must be performed prior to launching in Whitefish Lake—whether or not you have been inspected at another inspection station—on all the following watercraft:

• with ballast tanks or bags as determined by watercraft inspection staff
• that have been in a mussel infested waterway in the last 30 days
• with standing water
• that inspectors deem are too dirty to inspect.

There is a NO fee for decontamination.