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STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS! This is a serious issue.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks
Eileen Ryce, ANS Coordinator

Boat Washing Requirements

Aquatic nuisance species are a threat to our aquatic resources.  Zebra mussels,
Eurasian watermilfoil, New Zealand mudsnails, and whirling disease are just a few of the destructive and aggressive invader species that threaten Montana waterways.  Aquatic nuisance species have few natural predators or control agents, they can reproduce and grow rapidly and threaten the ecological stability, diversity and abundance of native species. Aquatic nuisance species also threaten commercial, agricultural, aquaculture, and recreational activities.  Boats, trailers, and equipment that come in contact with aquatic systems easily transport these exotics.  Aquatic nuisance species can be introduced into new areas by the movement of water, they can also be transported to new sites attached to boats, trailers, and equipment.  Many of the invasive species that threaten Montana have the ability to withstand extended periods of time out of water or in small amounts of water making their transport to new locations possible. 

All participants in Montana fishing tournaments will be asked to cooperate with
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks in the tournament requirements that all boats be washed prior to launching.  Ensuring that all boats are clean of any plants or animals prior to being launched will help to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.  At some tournaments, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks personnel will carry out boat inspections.  The inspection will help to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.  The inspection will involve checking the boat externally for the presence of any aquatic weeds or animals and will also involve inspecting the live well and interior of the boat for the presence of any unlawful live bait or other aquatic plant parts or animals, and any unlawful live bait or other aquatics will be confiscated.  The boat inspection stations will be set up at least 2 days prior to the start of the tournament to provide anglers with the opportunity to go through the inspection process prior to the day of the tournament.  Boats which pass the inspection will be given a sticker and allowed to launch.

Thank you for your cooperation with this program. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks personnel were present at several of the tournaments and overall the boat inspection process ran very smoothly.  A lot of the success of the program can be attributed to the cooperation of both the tournament organizers and participants.  Thank you again for your cooperation and I
look forward to working with you during the tournament season. 

Please feel free to contact Eileen Ryce (406) 444-2448 with questions or concerns.
1-877-786-7267-National Hotline for aquatic nuisance species