The Whitefish Lake Institute, city of Whitefish and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are reminding watercraft users that off-season rules for Whitefish Lake begin Oct. 1.

The City Beach watercraft inspection station, Whitefish Lake State Park watercraft inspection station, and the Whitefish decontamination station all close for the off-season on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Off-season rules are in effect from Oct. 1 through April 30.

The City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park boat ramps will be locked in the off season. All motorized and non-motorized watercraft users may launch in the off season by demonstrating via the Off-Season Online AIS Self-Certification Program they have acquired sufficient knowledge of aquatic invasive species risks and self-inspection techniques.

Users who successfully pass the program test will be issued a certificate and lock code to enter and exit the boat ramp at City Beach and Whitefish Lake State Park. Find the Off-Season Online AIS Certification Program at www.cityofwhitefish.org or www.whitefishlake.org. Nonmotorized watercraft users who previously passed the test and received their certificate during boating season will receive an email with the lock code.

Because decontamination is not available during the off-season, officials ask high-risk watercraft to abstain from launching in Whitefish Lake during this time. This includes boats: with ballast tanks or bags that have not been out of the water for 30 days, with standing water that have not been out of the water for 30 days, that have been in mussel-infested waterways in the last 30 days, that have dirt, mud, vegetation or animal life on any internal or external surface.

“Because it is not feasible to keep the inspection and decontamination stations open year-round, we are extending our trust to high risk watercraft users to show care and abide by these important rules during the off-season,” said Carla Belski, Community Services Coordinator for city of Whitefish Parks and Recreation, in a release. “We appreciate all watercraft users continuing to access the lake respectfully during these months when our staff and facilities are not available.”

Full program details are available at: http://whitefishlake.org/AIS_Mgmt_Pgm.php.