San Pablo Reservoir - open again!

https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir

"The boat launch will be open from February 8 through October 31, 2026."
"Vessels that cannot be banded, such as car-top boats, kayaks and canoes, will be inspected and cleared prior to launch."


... Hopefully they stock a bunch of Lassens before the opener. As far as my local lakes go, San Pablo was one of my favs

What does banded mean in this context?

What does banded mean in this context?

When you launch a boat form a trailer, they inspect for mussels. When you leave, they put a band or seal on your boat and trailer, so that you can launch at the same place next time without a rigorous inspection. Most places also waive the inspection fee if you are banded for that lake. It is usually location dependent - most lakes only recognize bands from that lake. Unfortunately, unless you trailer your kayak, there isn't really a similar process for kayaks - so we end up requiring inspection everytime. Pain in the butt sometimes if your kayak isn't 100% waterproof, because one drip of water can fail the inspection.

This is great news. Thanks for sharing

Nice! San Pablo was my favorite lake to paddle in cool weather.

What does banded mean in this context?

When you launch a boat form a trailer, they inspect for mussels. When you leave, they put a band or seal on your boat and trailer, so that you can launch at the same place next time

What does banded mean in this context?

When you launch a boat form a trailer, they inspect for mussels. When you leave, they put a band or seal on your boat and trailer, so that you can launch at the same place next time without a rigorous inspection. Most places also waive the inspection fee if you are banded for that lake. It is usually location dependent - most lakes only recognize bands from that lake. Unfortunately, unless you trailer your kayak, there isn't really a similar process for kayaks - so we end up requiring inspection everytime. Pain in the butt sometimes if your kayak isn't 100% waterproof, because one drip of water can fail the inspection.

without a rigorous inspection. Most places also waive the inspection fee if you are banded for that lake. It is usually location dependent - most lakes only recognize bands from that lake. Unfortunately, unless you trailer your kayak, there isn't really a similar process for kayaks - so we end up requiring inspection everytime. Pain in the butt sometimes if your kayak isn't 100% waterproof, because one drip of water can fail the inspection.

The way it reads is you get your boat inspected they band it, you can launch after a 30 day quarantine if the band is intact.

One of the first things I did when I got my drivers license was to go there on opening day in 1973. Fished mostly from shore many times over the years.

Haven’t done very well on my kayaking attempts, don’t think I have caught a trout yet but have caught a nice catfish.

The way it reads is you get your boat inspected they band it, you can launch after a 30 day quarantine if the band is intact.

Ah, yeah, I hadn't looked at their site yet.  Looks like they are taking a similar approach as Berryessa - go there, get boat inspected and banded, and still wait put a 30 day quarantine. That's less than ideal... Looks like I'm sticking to Shadow Cliffs this year - our little boat is currently banded there.

The way it reads is you get your boat inspected they band it, you can launch after a 30 day quarantine if the band is intact.

Ah, yeah, I hadn't looked at their site yet.  Looks like they are taking a similar approach as Berryessa - go there, get boat inspected and banded, and still wait put a 30 day quarantine. That's less than ideal... Looks like I'm sticking to Shadow Cliffs this year - our little boat is currently banded there.

You have to go there, get inspected, get banded, then wait 30 days to launch? That's nuts.

The way it reads is you get your boat inspected they band it, you can launch after a 30 day quarantine if the band is intact.

Ah, yeah, I hadn't looked at their site yet.  Looks like they are taking a similar approach as Berryessa - go there, get boat inspected and banded, and still wait put a 30 day quarantine. That's less than ideal... Looks like I'm sticking to Shadow Cliffs this year - our little boat is currently banded there.

You have to go there, get inspected, get banded, then wait 30 days to launch? That's nuts.

Yeah, that's a nope for me. If I didn't plan to fish anywhere else, then maybe it wouldn't be a bad deal, but it's a bit extreme. Especially since a kayak can pass the same inspection and fish the same day.... Even then, it's ~$22 to launch a kayak and fish there if you aren't a member.