Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer in Montana, and as boaters venture out to our rivers and lakes, please keep in mind the rules aimed at protecting our waters and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species

Online comments and ideas for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ proposal to remove invasive Asian clams from Lake Elmo in Billings Heights are due by May 17, 2020

On April 22, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Dillon watercraft inspection station intercepted a sailboat coming from Lake Pleasant, AZ, carrying invasive mussels. The boat owner was traveling north on Interstates 15 and 90 in route to northern Idaho. The sailboat was not launching in Montana.

Certified Boater training for Tiber Reservoir is available online at cleandraindrymt.com.  While Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices are closed to the public, persons interested in applying for the Certified Boater designation must complete the training online.

Inspectors at the Dillon watercraft inspection station had a busy start to early season boat inspections.  Located south of Dillon on Interstate 15, the watercraft inspection station is staffed by crews of two seasonal FWP employees who check for aquatic invasive species (AIS) on boats traveling north. 

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Dillon watercraft inspection station intercepted a watercraft carrying invasive mussels Monday.

Watercraft inspection stations are reopening across northwest Montana, starting with early-season operations in Kalispell and Ravalli.

Restrictions on Canyon Ferry reservoir boat launches have been removed allowing all boaters to access all boat ramps this year.  Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sought to remove the launch restrictions after three years of testing resulted in no detections of invasive quagga or zebra mussels.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on delisting Canyon Ferry Reservoir as an invasive species management area.  Following three years of no invasive mussel detection, regional guidelines allow for the delisting of a suspect waterbody and the removal of the mandatory exit inspection requirements. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on making the mandatory inspection before launch rule for the Flathead Basin permanent. The rule is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2020. Removing the expiration date will allow the rule to continue indefinitely.