Shasta-Trinity golden mussels order - punishable by fine or imprisonment

[WB Staff]

Shasta-Trinity National Forest enacts order to prevent spread of golden mussels
Release Date: December 4, 2025

Contact Information: Tom Stokesberry (707) 362-5229 thomas.stokesberry@usda.gov


Redding, CA Dec. 4, 2025— The Shasta-Trinity National Forest has issued a forest order prohibiting the possession and transportation of golden mussels, zebra mussels and quagga mussels to five lakes within the forest.

The order is in effect from Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, through Dec. 4, 2027.

Specifically, the order affects these areas:

Below the high-water mark of Shasta Lake, Lewiston Lake, Trinity Lake, Iron Canyon Reservoir or McCloud Reservoir; and
On any boat ramp that provides access to Shasta Lake, Lewiston Lake, Trinity Lake, Iron Canyon Reservoir or McCloud Reservoir.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

In October 2024, the California Department of Water Resources discovered non-native, highly invasive golden mussels in the Bay-Delta near Stockton, California. Once established, golden mussels can spread rapidly, significantly damaging natural ecosystems, water infrastructure, agriculture, and economies. The Shasta-Trinity National Forest reminds visitors to clean, drain and dry watercraft before and after launch, and to contact the waterbody they plan to visit before heading out.

Zebra and quagga mussels are also invasive species that can create similar problems as golden mussels.

To prevent unintentionally moving invasive mussels between bodies of water, we can all do the following:

Clean, drain and dry all equipment and watercraft before and after entering a waterbody.
Clean off all aquatic material from your boat, trailer and equipment before leaving the boat ramp or parking lot.
Drain ballast, bilge, live-wells, and anything containing water. Never drain back into the waterway.
Dry equipment thoroughly before launching or entering a body of water. Waiting periods vary, so check with the waterbody or local Forest Service office for specific inspection standards.
Know before you go: Contact the waterbody you plan to visit to find out about launching requirements.
Purchase the Mussel Fee Sticker, which is required for all motorized watercraft operated in freshwater.
Additionally, the state of California has developed a comprehensive Golden Mussel Response Framework to address this urgent invasive species threat. The framework provides coordinated strategies to prevent further introduction and spread, as well as to contain and suppress infestations.

For the latest updates on the golden mussel, visit the CDFW Aquatic Invasive Species webpage.

To learn more about overall water safety, visit the Recreate Responsibly Coalition’s webpage.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology – and rooted in communities – the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.