WYG&F: Check Stations Adjusting Hours Based on Season

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced that coinciding with waning daylight hours and reduced boat traffic, aquatic invasive species watercraft check stations in the Sheridan Region will operate with reduced hours this month.

The Sheridan check station at the Travel and Tourism Rest Area on 5th Street operating weekly Friday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be closed on Oct. 9.

Inspections outside the listed open hours can be scheduled by calling the Game and Fish Regional Office at 307-672-7418 to make an appointment.  

The Newcastle check station, one half mile east of the junction of U.S. Highways 16 and 85 open daily through October from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. will also be closed on Oct. 9.

Northeast Wyoming Visitor Center on I-90 near Beulah is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

According to the department, near Keyhole Reservoir, Paradise Foods in Pine Haven is open at variable hours; the station is closed for the season on Marina Road. Watercraft owners entering Wyoming and intending to launch on the reservoir should make plans ahead of time to ensure their watercraft is inspected prior to launching. Boaters can call the Sheridan Regional Office to inquire about open hours at the reservoir, or they can get their watercraft inspected at Beulah, Newcastle or another check station prior to arriving at Keyhole Reservoir. 

The Lake DeSmet check station is closed for the season. Watercraft owners entering Wyoming and intending to launch on the lake must get their watercraft inspected at the Sheridan Rest Area, the Sheridan Regional Office, or at another inspection location prior to launching.

Game and Fish is reminding boaters that Wyoming law requires any watercraft entering the state from March 1 through Nov. 30 each year to be inspected for AIS before launching in Wyoming. Boaters can utilize private inspectors and certified inspection locations. If you will not encounter an open check station on your route, please contact the Sheridan Regional Office to make arrangements for an inspection

Watercraft last used on a water known to have invasive zebra or quagga mussels, must be inspected before launching in Wyoming during all months of the year.