Tribes open watercraft check station in Polson

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have opened another watercraft check station in Polson, the tribes announced this week.

The new boat-check station, part of the tribes’ effort to keep aquatic invasive species from spreading to the Flathead Indian Reservation, is located at the Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation offices at 406 Sixth Ave. E. in Polson, and will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All watercraft must be inspected and cleared for launching into any reservation water body by a certified boat inspector. Watercraft, trailers and related equipment must be completely clean, drained and dry on all interior and exterior surfaces prior to launch.

A separate check station is also currently operating in Ravalli on U.S. 93, next to the highway maintenance shop. The Ravalli station is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2, it will remain open until 10 p.m.

For more information, contact Tom McDonald or Germaine White at 406-675-2700.