Oregon’s first quagga mussel discovery highlights purpose of Waterway Access Permit for non-motorized boats

A single dead adult quagga mussel discovered on the shoreline of a central Oregon reservoir has triggered an intensive monitoring effort as state wildlife officials work to prevent the highly invasive species from gaining a foothold.

The mussel was found June 6 during a routine invasive species survey at Prineville Reservoir, marking the first time the prolific freshwater mollusk has been detected in or near an Oregon waterbody, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Additional surveys found no other mussels along the shoreline or on structures, and water samples plus environmental DNA tests have so far shown no sign of invasive mussels. The popular bass-fishing reservoir remains open.

“We are taking this finding extremely seriously, but also cautiously as we work to confirm what we’re seeing at Prineville Reservoir,” Keith DeHart, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s aquatic invasive species coordinator, said in a statement. “We are coordinating closely with our state, federal, tribal, and local partners, and preparing to move quickly based on the evidence we find.” (OregonLive)

Quagga mussels can reproduce rapidly, coating hard surfaces such as rocks, boats, pipes, and dam infrastructure. They clog water systems, damage boat motors, and filter out plankton, disrupting the aquatic food web. Native to Eastern Europe, they have spread across much of the U.S. since arriving in the Great Lakes in the 1980s.

Prineville Reservoir feeds into the Crooked River and ultimately the Columbia River Basin — one of the last major watersheds in North America largely free of established quagga or zebra mussel populations.

The discovery comes as Oregon relies on its Waterway Access Permit program — sometimes referred to by boaters as a “vessel tax” — to fund prevention efforts. Revenue from the permit, which was expanded this year to include all non-motorized boats such as kayaks, paddleboards and rafts regardless of length, helps pay for boat inspection stations, monitoring and rapid response to invasive species threats. Officials say the program is critical to keeping destructive mussels out of the state’s waterways.

Oregon maintains boat inspection stations and requires aquatic invasive species permits for watercraft to slow the spread of destructive species. Boaters are urged to Clean, Drain, and Dry their equipment between water bodies.

The public can report suspected mussel sightings to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at 1-866-INVADER or online at oregoninvasiveshotline.org.

Waterway Access Permit (Oregon) is a required permit for using non-motorized watercraft on Oregon waterways. Key Details (Updated for 2026)

• Who needs it?

  
  

  All operators of non-motorized boats, regardless of length. This includes:

  
  

  • Stand-up paddleboards (SUPs)

  • Kayaks, canoes, rafts, drift boats

  • Inflatable versions of the above

    
    

    It applies to both Oregon residents and out-of-state visitors. 

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• When it started:

  
  

  Boats 10+ feet have needed it for years. As of January 1, 2026, it expanded to all sizes (including smaller SUPs, kayaks, etc.).

  
  

• Exemptions:

  
  

  • Youth 13 years and younger 

  • Certain government/official vessels 

  • Lifeboats used solely for lifesaving 

  • Seaplanes

  
  

• Permit is transferable — one permit works across multiple non-motorized craft (but only one boat at a time). 

Costs (Approximate, Including Service Fees)

• 7-day (consecutive): ~$8 

• 1-year: ~$22 

• 2-year: ~$37

Funds support aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention (inspections, education) and improving public waterway accessfor paddlers (ramps, docks, parking, etc.). How to Get One

• Online (recommended): Through the ODFW Electronic Licensing System → odfw.huntfishoregon.com (guest checkout available). 

• In person: ODFW offices or authorized license agents/vendors.

• You must carry the permit on the water and be able to show it if asked by law enforcement. Fine for not having one is around $115.

Official Resources:

• Oregon State Marine Board FAQs: oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info

• ODFW Permit Info: myodfw.com