Question: Is washing a boat necessary before Launching?

[plowjock]

 
I know of a few lakes closer to Ottawa on the Quebec side require you to have boat washed and not sure if disinfected.
My experience was at Little Cedar Lake and Big Cedar Lake about 4 years ago.
I don't know just how far this has been carried out.
This was to prevent the possible spread of some of the invasive species.
Is this a requirement up on Lake Kipawa?

[wayne]

Yes it is there are signs at the launch sites.

[plowjock]

Thank you Wayne, I had heard there's some pretty significant fines for not having your boat washed and sanitized. I understand that when you get the boat washed, you leave the receipt on the dash so the CO's when they come checking will not ticket you. Found out about this a few years back while fishing Little Cedar lake.

[wayne]

Hey PlowJock
I can't confirm or have heard of fines, however If people are coming from different area's of the province whether it be Ontario, Quebec, or the U.S when that happens again, everyone should wash there boats including bilge and live wells. We wouldn't want any invasive species finding a new home in Lake Kipawa and causing problems with the aquatic life. Important that everyone do this! Enjoy your time on the lake.

[plowjock]

 
Wayne, Are there any locations that you know of which are on a list of approved wash sites which the Quebec ministry approves
of. I knew of one on our way into Little Cedar Lake. Are there any closer to Kipawa or just a car wash type wash good enough.
Only problem, I believe the Ministry requires a receipt from location as proof that wash was done in accordance with Ministry
Regulations.

[wayne]

Sorry Plowjock, I can't answer your question. All I know is that any of my guests that bring a boat to the lodge are told the hull, trailer, live wells and bilge  must be cleaned prior to launching.  I do know that there is a new car wash located near the Esso station on the by pass around Temiscaming.  Maybe someone else on the board  can answer that for you?

[RHYBAK]

In my opinion.
If you know that you just pulled your boat from questionable waters, you should be hosing it down at home while it's still fresh. Not a week or two later after the crusties have formed.

I wash my livewell and hose down the trailer after every trip.
I don't want my livewell stinking up.

[SgtCrabby]

i wash my boat down after every use.   I have a pressure washer so I can get the trailer and everything else.
my livewells stink no matter how much I hose them down.

As Rhybak said, wash it anytime it has been in questionable waters.

[hinorth]

I just washed my boat out at the car wash but have absolutely no proof???  Other than it looks clean.

[plowjock]

Does anybody on this board have access to a Member of the Quebec ministry or office to get an official declaration. From what I saw on the sign at Little Cedar Lake, you needed a      receipt with 2 copies. one copy was to be left on dash of Tow vehicle and the other copy of receipt to remain in the boat, so that if stopped on the water by Quebec Ministry officials
you can provide proof of Boat cleaning up before launching. My boat may be dirty from road spray, but the live well is well rinsed out on the lake before we ever load it up and      drained out. There are no weeds near the launch site to get wrapped up on trailer. No crusty crap in my live well.

[wayne]

Hey Plowjock, sounds to me that little cedar lake is rather strict when it comes to boat washing. Don't think Kipawa Lake is there yet. I believe it is recommended that your wash your boat. Which I strongly suggest. If you are really worried about it, my suggestion would be take a picture on your phone of your boat in the car wash or in your driveway all soaped up  with the date and time on it. Then if you get stopped you can  show the CO"s the picture. Just a suggestion. Hope this helps.

[plowjock]

 Wayne, your suggestion sounds good. I will do this. Could be Little Cedar is an Issue, along with Big Cedar. Not worried about
my Financial costs to get washed and disinfected. I know Lake Kipawa is a huge lake size wise and just thinking of what the
Future would hold for Outfitters etc. if some of these invasive species got into these waters. My boat is always on the clean side.
I fish mainly 2 inland bodies of water away from known troubled waters.

[Kyle Skelding]

I think it's definitely recommend you wash your boat between different bodies of water. I know invasive species (zebra mussels ect.) can be transferred from boat transport. Hard to prove if people actually practice this, but I feel most anglers will do what they can to protect the waters they fish. Coming from the great lakes area we definitely wash the boat down before heading north.

[Fort Wisers]

Be sure to flush your engine cooling system as well......