Recreation Alert! Many Watercraft Inspection Stations Still Active in Montana

Just because the 2025 calendar turned another page does not mean that those of you with any kind of watercraft can just drive by!

Water recreation activities are still on the minds of many. And Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds us that keeping aquatic invasive species (AIS) out of Montana waters is an ongoing effort. Anglers and waterfowl hunters with watercraft must continue to stop at all watercraft inspection stations they encounter. While some inspection station close after Labor Day, others continue operating through October in high-risk corridors.

IF IT FLOATS, IT'S PROBABLY SUPPOSED TO BE CHECKED

Don't just assume that even if it's just a standup paddleboard, a float tube or a big inflatable yellow ducky that you're not required to stop. All watercraft requires inspection at the stations that are still in operation.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY SEASON WITH PLENTY OF MUSSELS AND WEEDS!

The vegetation factor might not enter the minds of all of us. So far this year, over 90,000 watercraft have been inspected. Thirty-four of those were carrying mussels, and 500 were carrying weeds.

AND, the most recent mussel-fouled watercraft was just intercepted on September 1 at the Wibaux inspection station. That boat was coming from Minnesota going to Billings returning from a vacation. It had been out of the water for two days and had live mussels on it. The boat was decontaminated at the station and locked to the trailer to allow for dry time and follow-up inspection.

As part of its Early Detection and Monitoring Program, Montana FWP conducts surveys of Montana’s waterbodies. Survey methods include everything from visual surveys to using DNA to scuba diving. This season more than 1,200 invasive mussel early detection samples have been analyzed and, to date, there has been no evidence of invasive mussels detected.

Props to FWP for thoroughly inspecting those props and all other parts of the boat!