On April 22, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Dillon watercraft inspection station intercepted a sailboat coming from Lake Pleasant, AZ, carrying invasive mussels. The boat owner was traveling north on Interstates 15 and 90 in route to northern Idaho. The sailboat was not launching in Montana.
The mussels were attached to the hull and near the keel and centerboard box. The inspectors removed the dry and dead mussels by hand and with high-pressure water. The sailboat was locked to the trailer and officials in Idaho were notified and will follow up with their own inspection.
This is the fourth boat with mussels that watercraft inspectors have intercepted this year.
All motorized or nonmotorized boats coming into Montana must have their watercraft inspected before launching. Boat owners are required to stop at all open watercraft inspection stations. Persons purchasing used boats should ensure the watercraft are clean, drained and dry before crossing Montana state line. To find a watercraft inspection station, visit CleanDrainDryMT.com.
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**Any non-resident boat that puts in to montana waters must first be inspected and purchase a pass.
