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With the changes in life jacket regulations for paddleboarders (details here), it prompted some research about AIS sticker requirements. After connecting with Wyoming Game & Fish in Lander, they shared the below information:
There are many different types of watercrafts and water toys available and knowing whether or not you need an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) sticker can be confusing. Hopefully, this will help:
- All motorized (this includes gas and electric) watercraft in Wyoming require an AIS sticker.
- All hard-sided canoes and kayaks require an AIS sticker.
- All sailboats require an AIS sticker.
- All non-motorized inflatable watercraft ten (10) feet in length or less, all solid and inflatable paddleboards regardless of length and all devices defined as water sport toys (float tubes, pull behind rafts) do not need an AIS sticker.
For a breakdown and further definitions see the picture chart here and/or the 2019 boating regulations or call your local regional office and they can help. The preceding with links
AIS stickers or decals can be purchased at any license-selling agent or online. The cost for a resident, non-motorized sticker is $5 and the non-resident cost is $15. For motorized watercraft, non-residents whose watercraft is registered in another state, it will cost $30 for a motorized AIS sticker. For residents who have their watercraft registered in Wyoming the cost of the motorized AIS sticker is $10, but most of the time this is combined with your registration.
Criteria that are looked at when deciding which watercraft are exempt from purchasing and displaying AIS decals comes down to the level of risk that type of craft has for transporting aquatic invasive species, specifically zebra and quagga mussels.
Low-risk watercraft are exempt from having an AIS decal because they have some combination of the following traits: they typically do not hold or transport water, do not have hard surfaces for quagga and zebra mussels to attach to, and/or are not crafts typically moored in the water long enough for quagga and zebra mussels to attach.
