Mandatory watercraft certification permit

Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals and diseases spread by human activity. Many AIS are harmful to freshwater ecosystems. AIS reproduce fast, rarely have natural predators and often out-compete native freshwater species.

 

Mandatory watercraft certification permit requirements

All watercraft must have a mandatory AIS watercraft certification permit before entering Prince Albert National Park waters. This includes motorboats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, wind surfing boardsinflatable boats, rafts and rowboats. Water-related gear like inflatable beach toys do not need a watercraft certification permit.

To meet permit conditions, you must confirm one of the following:

• your watercraft has not been used outside of Saskatchewan in the past 45 days.

OR

• your watercraft was inspected and/or decontaminated by Parks Canada staff.

Watercraft used outside of Saskatchewan in the past 45 days are at high risk for carrying AIS. All high-risk watercraft must undergo inspection and decontamination before receiving the permit.

Watercraft operators must carry a copy of the permit at all times. An image of the permit saved on a mobile device is acceptable.

2025 permits are valid for the entire 2025 boating season, if your watercraft meets the permit conditions. If your watercraft does not meet conditions at any time during the boating season, you need a new permit. For example:

You visited Prince Albert National Park in May and June. You take your boat with you on a quick trip to Alberta in July and return to Prince Albert National Park immediately afterward. You no longer meet the permit conditions in Prince Albert National Park because your watercraft was out of province within 45 days of returning to the park, so you’ll need an inspection and/or decontamination and a new mandatory watercraft certification permit.

Pick up your free watercraft certification permit at one of the following locations:

• East or South Entry Gates
• Visitor centre
• One of the three marinas
• Self-certification stations located at a boat launch or day-use area.

Complete the form. Carry the top section with you when using your watercraft. Place the Prince Albert National Park aquatic invasive species (AIS) watercraft certified sticker* on your watercraft to show your support! Drop off the bottom section at a self-certification station or with a Parks Canada staff member.

*The watercraft certification permit is still required for every watercraft before entering Prince Albert National Park waters.

Self-Certification and Decontamination Stations

Self-Certification and Decontamination Stations map — Text version

The map is labelled Self-Certification and Decontamination Stations.

This map shows Prince Albert National Park from a bird’s eye view, including an inset of the townsite, from the golf course to the Waskesiu main marina. The map depicts the locations of the self-certification stations for the mandatory aquatic invasive species watercraft certification permit. It also depicts the locations of the staffed decontamination stations in the park.

The legend includes:

1. A red circle indicates the location of a self-certification station. Self-certification stations are located at the following day-use areas and marinas:

• Sandy (Halkett) Lake,
• on Highway 263 Namekus Lake,
• on Highway 263 Paignton Beach,
• on the Narrows road The Narrows marina, at the end of the Narrows road
• Visitor Centre in the Waskesiu Lake townsite
• Two stations at the Waskesiu main marina, on Kingsmere road
• Hanging Heart Lakes marina, on Kingsmere road
• Birch Bay, on Kingsmere road
• Kingsmere Lake boat launch, at the end of Kingsmere road.

2. A black square with a white canoe. There is a hose nozzle above the canoe spraying liquid to show the canoe being decontaminated/cleaned. This symbol indicates the location of the decontamination stations in Prince Albert National Park. There are two staffed decontamination stations. One is located at the park compound, 4 kilometres west of the East Gate. The other is located 2.5 kilometres north of the South Gate.

3. A blue square with a boat using a boat launch indicates the marina locations within the park. There are three marinas: The Narrows marina, The Hanging Heart Lakes marina and the Waskesiu main marina.

4. A blue square with a person waiting at a desk/kiosk indicates the location of the Visitor Centre within the Waskesiu Lake townsite.

5. A grey line indicates the roads within the park.

Watercraft inspection and decontamination

Watercraft used outside of Saskatchewan in the past 45 days must undergo inspection and/or decontamination to meet permit conditions. After that, they are eligible for the mandatory watercraft certification permit.

Decontaminations are available by appointment only. Call and leave a message to set up your decontamination appointment today:

Phone: 306-479-0007

Please include the following information in your message:

• Your name and contact information
• Date of launch
• The time you’d like to have your watercraft inspected
• Type of watercraft (kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, motorboat, windsurfer, rowboat)
• For motorboats, propulsion type (outboard, inboard, inboard outboard, trolling, jet, sterndrive)

Parks Canada will accept provincial inspection permits for watercraft. You must provide proof of a provincial inspection permit. Call 306-479-0007 to verify your provincial inspection permit with a Parks Canada staff member.

Watercraft inspection and decontamination location:

• Decontamination station 1 is located at the Park Operations Compound, 4 kilometres west of the East Gate.
• Decontamination station 2 is located 2.5 kilometres north of the South Gate.

Inspection and decontamination hours of operation

May 12 to September 1, 2025*
Daily, 8 am to 3:30 pm

*Please contact Parks Canada at 306-479-0007 prior to your visit if you need an inspection and/or decontamination outside of the date range.

For more information

• Learn more about the Prince Albert National Park AIS prevention program
• Subscribe to the Prince Albert National Park newsletter Select “Science and Conservation” to receive updates about the prevention program.