HELENA, Mont. – Inspectors at the Anaconda boat check station caught invasive zebra mussels transported on a wake boat on its way to Georgetown Lake.
Inspectors found watermilfoil, another invasive species, on the trailer of the boat. Ballast tanks attached to the boat were not trained, and that made them a good environment for transporting mussels.
“Boats like this can ruin Montana’s waters forever,” said Tom Woolf, FWP’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) bureau chief. “This is the boat that would introduce mussels.”
The boat was reported out of the water for four days.
Mussels can potentially survive up to 30 days out of water.
The boater said he was unaware of the mussels.
The boat was locked to the trailer after it was decontaminated. Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) wardens ensured the boat would not launch.
FWP reminded recreationists that all watercrafts entering Montana must be inspected for aquatic invasive species, such as the zebra mussel, before launching in Montana waters. Stops are required at all open inspection stations.
Boats with a ballast or bladder, such as wakeboard or wake-surfing boats, that intend to launch on Montana waters must be decontaminated before launching.
While planning your trip to Montana, if you find you will not encounter a watercraft inspection station on your way to your destination, Idaho, Wyoming, and Alberta inspection stations fulfill the before-launch requirements of Montana.
Stop at ALL open inspection stations you encounter in Montana where your watercraft may be re-inspected.
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