Collaborative Effort Keeps State Mussel Free
Montana remains invasive mussel-free due to the hard work of FWP’s AIS team, AIS partners and the cooperation of watercraft owners stopping at AIS inspection stations.
“In Montana, we are fortunate to have a great group of dedicated staff and partners who work together to prevent invasive species from being introduced to our waters,” said Aquatic Invasive Species bureau chief Tom Woolf.
Partners include several conservation districts, tribes, city and county governments and nonprofits including Trout Unlimited and Walleyes Unlimited. These groups manage watercraft inspection stations, assist with AIS early detection surveys and assist with AIS outreach and education.
During 2025, staff inspected more than 120,000 watercraft. The inspections uncovered 38 mussel-fouled watercraft and 570 transporting aquatic weeds. Staff also identified more than 20,000 high-risk boats, which are boats that last launched in states with known AIS infestations; many of these were Montana residents that traveled out-of-state.
The Clearwater, Ravalli and Anaconda inspections stations saw the most traffic, collectively inspecting more than 35,000 watercraft. Data shows that the majority of out-of-state boats were from Idaho.
“We are also seeing a lot of Montana residents leaving the state, going to mussel-impacted areas and coming home,” Woolf said.
In 2026, FWP will be contracting with the High Plains Conservation District to operate the Highway 12 watercraft inspection station outside of Helena and working with the Lincoln Conservation District to identify a new location for Eureka.
Stations begin operation in early March, specifically targeting snowbird traffic from the lower Colorado River area. Inspections are available by appointment through the winter by calling 406-444-2440.
