Discovery of invasive mussels keep Montanaâs boat inspections busy
MTN News file
and last updated 2021-04-21 16:47:43-04
MISSOULA â Only a few weeks into the season, Montana check stations have already stopped about 10 boats with invasive mussels attached. Itâs going to be another busy summer, and more people may be passing through at night bringing invasive species with them.
On Saturday, Fish, Wildlife & Parks watercraft inspectors at the Anaconda station were busy checking all the boats being towed along Interstate 90 when a large sailboat came in. It had come from Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, and dead mussels were found covering the hull and propeller. The boat was headed for Washington state, so inspectors decontaminated the boat and informed the next check station.