With the proliferation of adult quagga mussels in Lake Powell, on the border of Utah and Arizona, watercraft from this lake that are entering Montana will be subject to additional measures at watercraft inspection stations to ensure they are free from aquatic invasive species.

With summer half over, more than 50,000 watercraft have been inspected at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks aquatic invasive species inspection stations around the state.

The Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on two documents that would guide the state of Montana’s response to the detection of invasive dreissenid mussels.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ wardens would like to remind watercraft users that they must stop every time they pass an AIS inspection station, even if they have previously been inspected.

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) threaten Montana’s waterways and fisheries.  AIS are plants, animals and pathogens that are not native to Montana and cause harm to Montana’s native plants, animals and fish.  AIS populations can reproduce quickly and spread rapidly because there are no natural predators or competitors to keep them in check.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wibaux watercraft inspection station intercepted a boat carrying zebra mussels Thursday. The owner purchased the used boat and was transporting it to Alberta, Canada. The last launch of the boat was in Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin.

Memorial Day in Montana is the unofficial start to summer, and as boaters flock to the amazing rivers and lakes across the state, they need to keep in mind the new rules aimed at limiting and preventing aquatic invasive species from spreading.

Boaters have an additional opportunity to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species with the opening of an additional watercraft inspection station in Kalispell.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Anaconda watercraft inspection station intercepted a boat carrying zebra mussels Friday. The cabin cruiser was being transported from Ohio to Puget Sound in Washington.

After public input, Fish, Wildlife and Parks is changing its access plan for Tiber Reservoir this year, keeping a focus preventing the spread of invasive mussels, while providing adequate access to the reservoir.