HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced Wednesday that none of the 789 samples taken from Montana waters detected invasive mussels.
Samples from the Tiber Reservoir in 2016 tested positive for invasive mussels and Canyon Ferry Reservoir samples came back suspect.
This year, water contamination stations were set up on Montana waters in response to the state’s efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species.
FWP reported that of the 50,000 boats inspected this summer, 15 were found to have invasive mussels on them, but were intercepted before contaminating the water.
Over 80 citations were issued this summer related to invasive species violations.
FWP says all watercraft owners must stop at all inspection stations and all out of state boaters must be inspected before launching. Wildlife officials add that as the boating season comes to a close and waterbodies begin to enforce their fall hours, sampling and analysis will continue.
The state agency also said this fall, shoreline surveys for adult mussels will be conducted around the state including Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs for AIS early detection. Other actions taken will include mussel sniffing dogs.
For more information on inspection and decontamination stations in Montana click here. For the hours of operations for the stations click here.
