Folsom, California – Boaters launching into two popular Northern California lakes will now face mandatory inspections and a 30-day quarantine in a bid to halt the spread of a rapidly advancing invasive species: the golden mussel.
Effective April 14, all trailered and motorized vessels entering Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine — located northeast of Sacramento — are subject to the new protocols. The measures come after golden mussels (Limnoperna fortunei) were discovered in October 2024 at the Port of Stockton, less than 100 miles from the two lakes. This marks the first known appearance of the invasive species in North America.
Originally from Southeast Asia, the dime-sized golden mussels pose a serious threat to California’s aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the mussels consume massive amounts of microscopic plant and animal life, displacing native species and sport fish. They also pose a critical risk to municipal water systems, agriculture, and power plants, as they can rapidly multiply and clog water intakes and fish screens…