Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals or pathogens that can invade new waterbodies by hitching a ride on watercraft and gear. AIS can include mussels, snails, fish, plant fragments or larva that can only be viewed under a microscope.

Montana watercraft inspection stations have intercepted 13 boats carrying invasive mollusks into the state this year. As of May 30, inspectors have caught 12 boats with invasive zebra or quagga mussels and one boat with red rim melania snails attached to watercraft.

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

Nonresident boaters and anglers will see new aquatic invasive species rules when they visit Montana this year. 

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.

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.

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.