09/08/2026
🚤 Montana Aquatic Invasive Species Update
As another busy summer winds down, Montana’s watercraft inspection stations continue working to protect our waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS).
So far in 2026:
🔹 105,000+ watercraft inspected statewide
🔹 26 mussel-fouled watercraft intercepted — compared with 34 at this time last year
🔹 600+ watercraft intercepted transporting aquatic weeds
🔹 1,600+ early detection samples processed with NO evidence of invasive mussels
🔹 300+ eDNA samples analyzed with NO evidence of invasive mussel DNA
Overall boating numbers are slightly lower than last year, with approximately 105,000 inspections so far compared with 108,000 at this point in 2025.
After Labor Day Station Changes
The following inspection stations have closed for the season:
• Eureka – Hwy 93 South
• Sula – Hwy 93 North
• St. Xavier – Hwy 313 South
Other Montana inspection stations will continue operating through October along high-risk corridors.
⚠️ Recent Mussel-Fouled Boat Interception
On September 1, inspectors at the Broadus Watercraft Inspection Station intercepted a mussel-fouled pontoon boat traveling west on Highway 212. The commercially transported boat originated in Wisconsin and was headed to Chelan, Washington.
Powder River Conservation District inspectors decontaminated the boat and locked it to the trailer, and Montana FWP notified Washington officials for follow-up.
This is exactly why Montana’s inspection stations remain so important. One contaminated boat can put an entire watershed at risk.
Early Detection Update
More than 1,600 AIS samples and 300 eDNA samples have been analyzed this season, with no evidence of invasive mussels detected.
A new AIS detection this year was freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbii) in Canyon Ferry Reservoir. A report from the public led to confirmation of only the second verified population in Montana.
Freshwater jellyfish are not considered harmful to people and do not appear to cause significant impacts to aquatic systems, but they are another reminder that aquatic organisms can hitchhike on boats, equipment, dive gear, and aquatic plants.
💧 CLEAN. DRAIN. DRY.
Every boater can help protect Montana’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and fisheries. Stop at inspection stations, follow inspector directions, and always Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft and equipment.
🔗 2026 Watercraft Inspection Station locations and operating dates:
https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species/watercraft-inspection-stations
🔗 2026 Watercraft Inspection Dashboard:
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e7e5c01c253741bb88af3a963940c92d
Upcoming AIS Events
📅 September 23–25: Western Regional Panel of the ANS Task Force Annual Meeting – Sacramento, CA
📅 November 3: Annual AIS Partner Meeting – Montana WILD, Helena
📅 November 4–5: Montana Invasive Species Council Summit – Montana Heritage Center, Helena
📅 December 8–9: Columbia Basin Team for Aquatic Invasive Species Meeting – Boise, ID
Recent AIS news across the West also continues to reinforce the need for vigilance, including renewed quagga mussel detections and treatment in Idaho’s Snake River, zebra mussel DNA detected in the Colorado River in Utah, and continued efforts to control the spread of golden mussels in California.
Protect Montana’s waters. Stop at inspection stations. Clean. Drain. Dry.
