#Swimmers itch flathead lake how to#

The most likely aquatic invasive species threats to Montana waters include quagga and zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and New Zealand mud snails.

#Swimmers itch flathead lake how to#

“And this year, they’ll also get information on how to win some raffle prizes and then be on their way.” “At the inspection stations, boats and trailers are carefully inspected, and boaters obtain information about how to identify invasive species and prevent their spread from one water body to the next,” Boos said. While most western states now have mandatory roadside watercraft inspection stations, boaters and others in Montana have been urged for a decade to inspect, clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and gear exposed to the water to self-ensure they don’t carry damaging organisms from one water body to another. A study shows even property values surrounding nearby lakes in Wisconsin dropped up to 16 percent due to the infestation of invasive, dense, mat-like water weeds. For instance, municipal water systems in North Texas, popular recreational lakes in Omaha, Neb., and once healthy fisheries in New York have been shut down or damaged by AIS in recent years. amounts to more than $130 billion in damages and repair each year. Invasive species’ widespread harm in the U.S. “They’re mostly transported from water to water by popular recreational activities like boating and angling,” Boos said.

“The problem is more than 30 percent of all motorists hauling watercraft aren’t stopping, and some of those boats are likely harboring AIS.”ĪIS are non-native, destructive, and highly prolific life forms like harmful aquatic plants, animals, fish, and microscopic organisms, which include everything from invasive zebra mussels to whirling disease. “We were able to intercept those boats and clean them up upon inspection,” said Tom Boos, FWP’s AIS coordinator in Helena. A total of 54 motorboats and three non-motorized watercrafts were found to have been fouled by zebra mussels and other AIS contaminants and hundreds more contained standing water or noninvasive vegetation. Last year, nearly 35,000 watercrafts were inspected at Montana’s roadside stations. Most inspections take fewer than five minutes but failure to stop could lead to a $135 fine. Montana law requires private motorists and outfitters and guides hauling watercraft - including motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, rafts, jet skis and even small kick boats popular among some anglers - to always stop at AIS watercraft inspection stations for a brief interview and equipment check. Motorists who stop will have their equipment checked -and cleaned if needed - and get information on how to enter a raffle for prizes to be awarded throughout the boating season. Seventeen well-marked inspection stations will again be in operation from May 21 through September at key border crossings, along major highways and on heavily used water bodies. The annual education and enforcement effort, which this year includes multiple chances to win prizes from an array of local sponsors, is to further curb the risk of aquatic invasive species from attaining a foothold in Montana waters. Montana wildlife officials are reminding private and commercial boaters that state law requires all motorists hauling watercraft - from trailers with motorboats or inflatable rafts to canoes and kayaks perched atop cars and pick-up trucks - to stop at inspection stations.