Another Boat with Invasive Mussels Detected

Adult Zebra Mussels were found on a boat recently at the Watercraft Inspection Station at Ravalli, on US 93 north of Arlee. The boat was being transported through Montana from Chicago to Seattle and had been out of the water for almost two weeks. The boat was quarantined and decontaminated with hot water before being released from the check station. This is the second mussel-infested vessel to be seized at the Ravalli station this season. So far, 15 infested boats have been detected at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks stations throughout the state. The Ravalli station is operated by partner organization Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Inspectors Lacey Burke, Mitch Parker and JaBlue Arlee were responsible for the mussel discovery.

Montana FWP officials again reminded the public that boaters (both motorized and non-motorized craft) must stop at any inspection stations and to also Clean, Drain and Dry your craft to prevent invasive species from entering the waters of Montana, especially Western Montana and the Columbia River Basin. By the way, one female zebra mussel can release 1,000,000 eggs every year.