CODY- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will be reducing operating hours at the Frannie aquatic invasive species (AIS) check station next week. 

Beginning Aug. 4, the Frannie AIS check station, located north of Frannie on Hwy 310, will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and closed Sunday-Wednesday. 

On Sundays, boaters entering Wyoming en route to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area can have watercraft inspected from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Crooked Creek Check Station located near the entrance to the national recreation area on Hwy 37. 

Those headed further into Wyoming from out of state are encouraged to reroute to get checked at the AIS check station located north of Cody at the Game and Fish Regional office. Open hours are 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

Options for watercraft inspections Monday.-Wednesday. include scheduling an appointment at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitors Center in Lovell, calling a private inspector, or by visiting the Game and Fish regional office in Cody during regular business hours. 

Boaters can also be inspected and sealed by other state agencies prior to entering Wyoming. If inspected by another state, boaters must have a valid receipt with the watercraft.

Wyoming law requires any watercraft entering the state from March 1-Nov. 30 each year to be inspected for AIS before launching in Wyoming. Boaters are reminded to plan ahead to obtain a mandatory AIS inspection at an alternate location through Nov.

If you boat in a water known to have invasive zebra or quagga mussels, you are required by law to have your watercraft inspected before launching in Wyoming during all months of the year.