Montana FWP Holding the Line on AIS and Modifying Check Stations

From busy inspection stations to proactive boat owners, Montana is taking impressive steps to protect its waters. The statistics are eye-opening.

THE MUSCLES BEHIND NO MUSSELS

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that's due to the hard work of FWP’s Aquatic Invasive Species team, AIS partners and the cooperation of watercraft owners stopping at watercraft inspection stations.

Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau Chief Tom Woolf was quoted in the release as saying, “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.”

WHO IS ALL IN ON PROTECTING OUR WATERS?

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.

SUCCESS STORY

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 BUSIEST STATIONS

For 2025, the Clearwater, Ravalli and Anaconda inspection stations saw the most traffic, collectively inspecting more than 35,000 watercraft.

Inspection data from the 2025 season is available on the Watercraft Inspection Dashboard. Check out which station's numbers are off the charts compared to the rest.

Data shows that the majority of out-of-state boats were from Idaho.

NEW FOR 2026

Montana FWP will be contracting with the High Plains Conservation District for the first time to operate the Highway 12 watercraft inspection station outside of Helena and working with the Lincoln Conservation District to identify a new location for the Eureka inspection stations.

Montana is gearing up for another busy season for holding the line against invasive species.

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ALL VEHICLES WITH WATERCRAFT MUST STOP!

Stations begin operation in early March, specifically targeting snowbird traffic from the lower Colorado River area. Inspections are available by appointment through the winter. To arrange an inspection, call 406-444-2440.