Montana’s boating season is slowing down, and with the decrease in boating traffic some watercraft inspection stations are reducing hours or closing for the season.

Beginning Aug. 12, the boat launch at the Willow Creek arm of Tiber Reservoir will be open only to Certified Boaters in the Aquatic Invasive Species program.

So far, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and its partner agencies have conducted more than 52,000 watercraft inspections – with more than 7,000 of those happening over the Fourth of July weekend. To date, 13 vessels with zebra or quagga mussels have been intercepted.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has found evidence of invasive Asian clams in Lake Elmo in Billings Heights. Biologists have initiated an investigation to determine how Asian clam shells got to Lake Elmo, how pervasive they are in the lake and how far they may have spread in the waters surrounding the lake. To date, no live Asian clams have been found.

The summer boating season in Montana has begun, and more than 24,000 watercraft have already been inspected at aquatic invasive species inspection stations around the state. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and partner organizations operate more than 30 watercraft inspections stations to ensure boats launching on Montana waters are free of aquatic invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels.

Boat owners transporting watercraft with ballast tanks or bladders will undergo additional cleaning at watercraft inspection stations to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Several watercraft inspection stations in southwest Montana will soon become operative for the 2019 boating season. These stations help boaters meet state laws in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Montanans know how precious water is. It’s essential for fish and wildlife, boating and angling, irrigating, drinking and creating much of our electricity. When something threatens our water — such as aquatic invasive species — we are on high alert.

Some watercraft inspection stations are opening across the state for the 2019 boating season, and boaters transporting motorized or non-motorized watercraft are required to stop at stations they pass, as directed by signs.  Additionally, western Montana boaters should review specific watercraft inspection requirements and local station information.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Anaconda watercraft inspection station intercepted a boat carrying invasive mussels Monday. The boat was being transported from the Great Lakes area to Bellingham, WA, by a commercial hauler. The boat was last used on Lake Huron and had been in dry dock since October.