- Decontamination rules: Since 2017, the Municipality of Messines has required all boats to be decontaminated prior to launching on local lakes. Experts recommend this as a key step in slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
- Self-serve decontamination station: A station is available 24/7 to enable boaters to clean their boats before launching.
- Boat launch inspections: Municipal inspectors check that boaters have a valid decontamination certificate before accessing the lake.
- Automated barriers: The first automated gate has been installed at the lac Blue Sea launch. Two more are planned by 2026. These barriers allow for 24/7 controlled access.
- Awareness campaigns: The Municipality and local associations regularly share information to raise awareness about the risks of aquatic invasive species.
Prevention and mitigation activities
Yellow buoy program
Protected zones to respect
On lac Blue Sea and Petit lac des Cèdres, yellow buoys mark sensitive areas that need protection to help stop the spread of Eurasian watermilfoil.
These buoys serve two key purposes:
Protected zones – No boating allowed
In some areas, special tarps are placed on the lakebed over patches of watermilfoil. These tarps block sunlight and smother the plant to prevent it from growing. Boating is strictly forbidden inside the areas marked by yellow buoys — even a quiet pass-through can:
- shift or damage the tarps
- undo weeks of work
- cause the plant to spread even more
Avoid these areas – Risk of spreading watermilfoil
- Some yellow buoys also mark spots where watermilfoil is present but hasn’t yet been covered by tarps. These areas should be avoided as well because:
- propellers can break the plant into fragments
- each such fragment can grow into a new colony
- the problem could spread to other parts of the lake
A message to all lake users:
- Boaters – do not cross or steer close to buoy-marked zones.
- Fishers – keep your lines well away. Hooks can tear the tarps.
Canoe and kayak users – even paddles can disturb tarps or break up the plants.
Lake monitor program
Local eyes on our lakes
The Sentinelle (lake monitor) program, launched on Grand and Petit lac des Cèdres by the APLC, is part of a Quebec government initiative to boost the early detection of aquatic invasive species.
This program relies on local lake users and volunteers to keep watch. Trained volunteer lake monitors learn to recognize key invasive species that may show up in our ecosystems.
The program’s goals:
- Spot any new invasive species as early as possible
- Notify the right people quickly, if action is needed
- Understand how these species behave and spread locally
- Feed a province-wide database with reliable scientific data
What APLC lake monitors do:
- Take a short training session
- Learn to identify priority species (plants, mussels, algae, etc.)
- Use a mobile app to report and track what they sees.
Why it matters:
With early detection, we have a much better chance of stopping an invasive species before it takes over. Programs like this are considered a best practice in community-based environmental protection.
Interested in becoming a lake monitor?
Q&A
I am a non-resident coming for a day to kayak/canoe/paddleboard. What rate applies to my situation?
The cost for decontaminating a non-motorized watercraft is $5.
I’m visiting Messines on vacation and bringing my motorized boat. What rate applies to my situation?
Unless you are staying on the territory of Messines for the entire summer, you must pay the visitor rate directly at the decontamination station ($25 per decontamination session). If your place of stay is on the shore of the lake where you plan to navigate, your decontamination certificate remains valid as long as you do not remove your boat from the water. If during your stay you decide to visit other lakes, including those in Messines, you will need to use the decontamination station again and pay the $25 fee to obtain a new decontamination certificate.
I am a resident, and a non-resident places their watercraft on my property. Can I still get an access card at the resident rate?
No. To qualify for an access card at the resident annual rate, you must prove ownership of the watercraft. Otherwise, the person placing their watercraft on your property must obtain their own card at the non-resident annual rate.
My watercraft are in my name, but the residence is in my spouse’s name. What rate applies to my situation?
You must provide proof that you live at that address (e.g., an electricity bill in your name, your driver’s licence showing the address, etc.) and register as a tenant rather than a property owner. You will then be eligible for an access card at an initial cost of $15. There is no annual renewal fee, unless a replacement is needed due to loss, damage or theft of the card.
I am a resident of Messines and have rented or been lent a dock space. What rate applies to my situation?
There is no specific rate for the rental or loan of a dock space. If you are a resident of Messines, whether you are an owner or a tenant, the annual resident rate applies.
Residents of Messines (property owners, their spouses, children and stepchildren, or resident tenants) can purchase an access card for a one-time cost of $15. This card gives you unlimited decontaminations for the season. There’s no annual renewal fee. If the card is lost, damaged or stolen, a $15 replacement fee applies.
When registering their watercraft, owners must indicate the mooring location.
I’m not a resident of Messines, but I’ve rented or have been lent a dock space. What rate applies to my situation?
There is no specific rate for dock rentals or dock loans. The rate is based on your residency status, not on dock access.
- For out-of-town visitors, the fee is $25 for motorized watercraft and $5 for non-motorized ones. This one-time fee is payable at the station’s payment terminal.
- Residents of Messines (property owners, their spouses, children and stepchildren, or resident tenants) can purchase an access card for a one-time cost of $15. This card gives you unlimited decontaminations for the season. There’s no annual renewal fee. If the card is lost, damaged, or stolen, a $15 replacement fee applies.
- Seasonal renters (cottages and campgrounds) can buy a seasonal pass for $80, which allows unlimited decontaminations at no extra charge. This card must only be used for your own watercraft. Sharing this card with a third party will result in its cancellation, and no refund will be issued.
- Non-residents can purchase an access card for $150, which entitles them to an unlimited number of decontaminations for the season.
I’m not a resident of Messines. Is there an annual rate or seasonal pass available for me?
Yes, a pass is available for non-residents. The annual non-resident rate is $150, which gives you unlimited access to the decontamination station for the season.
If you’re a non-resident but renting a campsite or cottage for the entire summer, you may be eligible for the seasonal rate of $80. To qualify as a seasonal resident, you must submit the appropriate form, completed and signed by the authorized person listed on it, confirming your seasonal rental of a residence, cottage or campsite.
What are the different rates and packages available for watercraft decontamination?
- For out-of-town visitors, the fee is $25 for motorized watercraft and $5 for non-motorized ones. This one-time fee is payable at the station’s payment terminal.
- Residents of Messines (property owners, their spouses, children and stepchildren, or resident tenants) can purchase an access card for a one-time cost of $15. This card gives you unlimited decontaminations for the season. There’s no annual renewal fee. If the card is lost, damaged, or stolen, a $15 replacement fee applies.
- Seasonal renters (cottages and campgrounds) can buy a seasonal pass for $80, which allows unlimited decontaminations at no extra charge. This card must only be used for your own watercraft. Sharing this card with a third party will result in its cancellation, and no refund will be issued.
- Non-residents can purchase an access card for $150, which entitles them to an unlimited number of decontaminations for the season.
What is meant by “resident”?
A resident is anyone who lives permanently in Messines (either as an owner or tenant) or who owns a secondary residence in the municipality. Anyone who owns property (land) in Messines is also considered a resident. This definition also includes the resident’s spouse, children and stepchildren.
I’m a waterfront property owner or I have a notarized right-of-way, and I launch my boat from my own private property. Do I still need to decontaminate my watercraft?
Boats stored on shoreline property adjacent to a body of water that have not been used on another body of water do not have to be decontaminated upon initial launch, and this remains the case as long as your boat does not leave the body of water bordering your property.
Once it leaves the lake, however, it must be decontaminated upon its return.
Can I decontaminate my watercraft at home?
No. To ensure your watercraft is properly decontaminated, you must use a pressure washer with a force of 2,600 psi. Anything less may not remove all the organisms. Temperature is also key — the water must be kept at a constant 60°C.
When should I decontaminate my watercraft?
You must decontaminate your watercraft before every launch. As soon as your boat leaves a lake, it must be decontaminated before being launched again—no matter which body of water, as long as it’s within the territory of the Municipality of Messines.
Is decontaminating my boat mandatory?
Yes, decontamination of watercraft is mandatory.
The Municipality of Messines has passed a regulation requiring watercraft to be decontaminated before launching on any bodies of water within its territory.
Decontamination and inspection of watercraft are effective measures to prevent the spread of invasive exotic species, and all boaters can do their part to keep our waterways healthy for future generations.
Your cooperation is essential for the protection and the preservation of our lakes.
What is the purpose of the decontamination certificate?
First, the certificate confirms that you have decontaminated your watercraft. Additionally, the certificate includes a QR code that allows access to the lake by opening the barrier for both launching and exiting. Your decontamination certificate remains active as long as you stay on the lake.
Where is the Messines decontamination station located?
Check the map to find the location of the decontamination station and the various public boat launch ramps.