Montana’s watercraft inspection stations set another record for boats inspected in 2019.  More than 112,00 watercraft have been inspected so far this year, surpassing last year’s number by 3,000 inspections. Inspectors have intercepted 16 boats with invasive mussels coming into the state.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Summit on Dec. 4 and 5 in Helena. The two-day meeting will bring together AIS partners to discuss the progress made and next steps needed to continue advancing Montana’s AIS program.

A boat from Chicago bound for Seattle was quarantined and decontaminated at the Ravalli watercraft inspection station operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT).

This week experts on invasive species will gather to discuss the most pressing issues on aquatic invasive species management.  The Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (WRP) will hold its annual meeting in Missoula Oct. 9-11, hosted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.  Aquatic invasive species (AIS) cause tremendous damage to our economic and natural resources. 

Non-residents planning to bring their watercraft into Montana must now purchase an AIS Prevention Pass (AISPP) before launching on state waters. The AISPP was initiated by the 2019 Montana Legislature to help fund the fight against aquatic invasive species.

Last month Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks discovered an established population of New Zealand mud snails at a private commercial fish hatchery south of Hamilton.

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.

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.

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.