One of the premier trophy bass lakes in the world banned the launching of private boats more than a month ago to prevent the introduction of destructive quagga mussels.

Now, Lake Casitas is easing the ban but not without restrictions.

In a better-than-nothing move, the Casitas Municipal Water District board voted Wednesday night to implement a lock-and-tag system to allow the launching of private boats.

The lock-and-tag system works like this:

Boaters buy the lock for $50. Once their boats pass a clean-and-dry inspection, the boats will be locked to the trailer for a 10-day period to kill any potential quagga mussels still on or in the boat.

They can keep the boat and trailer at their house or at the lake. After 10 days, they can fish the lake and then afterward re-lock the boat to the trailer to ensure the boat isn't used elsewhere.

CMWD spokesman Ron Merckling said the program will begin in about three weeks.

People interested in the participating are required to call 805-649-2233, ext. 7 to get on the waiting list. The lake will schedule an inspection for each individual on the list.

That's a pretty good quick solution. There are probably better, but that is a good way to get people on teh water without endangering the environment.

So what if you take a vacation to another lake...do you have to pay another $50.00 for the 10-day lock-and-tag if you want to go out on Casitas?

I appreciate they're trying something, but at $50.00 a shot, if that's the case, sounds like another 'usage fee' boater rip-off..

Nu2 - I agree it only makes sense if you're planning to use that lake exclusively......maybe makes more sense for the bass fishermen than the pleasure boater.......

It sounds like a $50 on time fee to buy the lock. If you want to go to another lake, they'll take the lock off, but you have to wait the 10-day quarantine again, once you have the lock re-installed.

WM, makes sense to re-lock for free for the 10 day period. More clarity is needed for sure.

I read where the quagga can live up to 30 days if the water is warm, like in a bilge area in a covered boat...

What about the devious minded that hauls their boat to Mead, dunks the trailer with the boat locked to it for the day and goes to Vegas then comes back to Casitas the next day?

Nothing to stop that I guess.......lots of fuel spent to do that......devious and stupid....

I know! Just spouting off!

Surprise, surprise!

Why not just fill your pockets with quagga and going swimming? Very little you can do to stop a criminal mind.

Is every lake going to be infested with that mussell eventually? It seems like an inevitability unless there are more boat bans or some sort of treatment is determined.

Have to think long and hard about that solution. Casitas is my 'home' 'quick get-away' lake.....

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6140857

Same area?

Northern CA about 300 miles away...