Additional Watercraft Inspection Station Available in Kalispell
By angelamontana

Posted: May 21, 2018

Kalispell, MT — Boaters have an additional opportunity to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species with the opening of an additional watercraft inspection station in Kalispell.

Jesco Marine & Power Sports, located at 568 Fir Terrace off U.S. Highway 93 South, is hosting an AIS inspection station that is open on weekends and operated by Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes personnel. The station is open Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. from now through Labor Day.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hosts an AIS inspection station at its regional headquarters in Kalispell, at 490 N. Meridian, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Additional watercraft inspection stations are open across Montana. For a full list and map, along with other information, visit cleandraindrymt.com.

FWP AIS Inspection Stations in Northwest Montana

Eureka, 7787 U.S. Highway 93                             Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Whitefish Lake State Park                                      Mon-Sun, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Troy Rest Area, 98 Silvertip Way                          Mon-Sun, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

FWP Region 1 Office, Kalispell                             Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Jesco Marine & Power Sports, U.S. 93 S            Sat-Sun, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Thompson Falls, 4990 MT Hwy 200                     Mon-Sun, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Dena Mora Rest Area, Saltese                              Mon-Sun, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

CSKT Fish and Wildlife Office, 406 6th Ave. E., Polson            Arrange times by calling (406) 270-3386

Ravalli, MT Highway 200, Ravalli                        24 hours/day, seven days a week

 

Watercraft Inspections Fact Sheet

The three steps of Clean, Drain, Dry greatly minimizes the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species. It also minimizes the time required for inspection at a station.

If you are hauling watercraft of any kind, you must stop. It’s the law.

Montana law requires everyone transporting motorized or nonmotorized watercraft to stop at all inspections stations. This includes rafts, drift boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, personal pontoons, and sail boats.

Your watercraft must be inspected if:

  • You encounter an open inspection station.
  • You are coming into Montana from out-of-state.
  • You are traveling west over the Continental Divide into western Montana (the Columbia River Basin).
  • You are coming off Tiber or Canyon Ferry Reservoirs.
  • You are launching anywhere within the Flathead Basin and your watercraft last launched on waters outside of the Flathead Basin.

For more information, visit cleandraindrymt.com.

(feature photo via Valley Journal)
New Podcast!

Riley's Meats - Butte Wild Game Processing