HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Mussel Response team today announced the removal of temporary emergency restrictions on the launch or removal of all boats, docks and other structures for Tiber and Canyon Ferry reservoirs.
The restrictions, in effect since Dec. 1 as a precaution against spread of invasive mussels, were in place until ice-up on both reservoirs.
Winter is a low-risk season for transmitting mussels from one waterbody to another since zebra and quagga mussels don’t reproduce when water temperatures drop below 48 degrees. The movement of boats, docks and other structures is also minimal in winter.
The team is considering options for how to minimize the risk of spreading mussels from Canyon Ferry and Tiber to other waters, and will reassess whether to extend or implement other restrictions following ice breakup in spring.
The emergency restrictions were necessary to prevent the potential spread of invasive aquatic mussels from the two reservoirs to other uncontaminated water bodies in Montana and elsewhere, said Randy Arnold, an Incident Commander for the State’s Mussel Incident Response team.
It is still important for ice fisherman and other winter recreationists using these reservoirs to take precautions and Clean, Drain and Dry their equipment properly.
For more information visit musselresponse.mt.gov or Montana Mussel Response on Facebook.
(Report via MT FWP)
