Three mussel-fouled boats found at Anaconda Station

Staff and wire report

Anaconda watercraft inspectors were busy last weekend when three mussel-fouled watercraft were intercepted at the inspection station.

The inspectors keep finding more fouled boats, with the previous weekend, on April 10, marking Montana’s watercraft inspectors intercepting the sixth mussel-fouled boat entering the state. That boat also was stopped at the Anaconda watercraft.  

Inspectors found dry and dead mussels on a used pontoon boat that had been purchased in Minnesota and was destined for Washington state. Inspectors conducted a hot water decontamination before releasing the boat and notifying officials in Idaho and Washington.

In the previous two weeks mussels have been found on watercraft returning to Montana from Lake Mohave, Lake Powell and Lake Havasu. These waterbodies are known to be infested with invasive mussels. 

“In just one day mussels can enter a live-well or attach to a boat’s hull or transom,” said Fish, Wildlife and Parks Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau Chief Tom Woolf. “Always be sure your boat is clean, drained and dry when leaving the water.  “

All watercraft — motorized and non-motorized — coming into Montana from out of state must be inspected. This includes Montana residents returning from a fishing or boating excursion out of state. Failure to stop at inspection stations could result in a fine of up to $500.

Watercraft inspection stations are Montana’s first line of defense to prevent the movement of aquatic invasive species, which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. Boaters must stop at all watercraft inspections stations they encounter.

In the latest detections, the first vessel, a large sailboat traveling from Lake Michigan to Washington state, had mussels on the hull and propeller.

The second vessel, a pontoon traveling from Wisconsin to Washington state, had mussels in the live-well pump and on the transducer.

The third vessel, a pontoon traveling from Minnesota to Glacier National Park, had mussels on the gimbal area and visible byssal threads on the transom.

On all watercraft the mussels appeared dry and dead. Inspectors decontaminated the vessels on site, locked them, and notified officials at the next destination.

The Anaconda station is located on Interstate 90 between Butte and Anaconda.  All of Montana’s watercraft inspection stations are seeing increased traffic compared to this time last year. 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants to remind all boat owners they must stop at all open watercraft inspections station they encounter.  An inspection is required for watercraft entering the state and crossing from east to west over the Continental Divide.  Non-resident boats planning to launch in Montana waters must purchase a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass. 

People can learn more at http://CleanDrainDryMT.com or call 406-444-2440.