New regs, fees for boaters this summer
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to the boating season in Montana — kicking off the first in which those heading out on the water will have to abide by the state’s recently enacted regulations to limit the spread of aquatic invasive species in the state.
New fishing-license fees and boat-inspection rules approved last month by the Montana Legislature, in response to the state’s first-ever detection of invasive mussel larvae in Tiber Reservoir. Suspected mussel larvae were also detected in Canyon Ferry Reservoir.
No mussels have been detected west of the Continental Divide, but Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks — along with Glacier National Park and tribal resource agencies — have beefed up measures intended to keep the destructive species from crossing into the Columbia River Basin or other eastern water bodies.
In addition to the new rules, state wildlife officials ask that all boaters know and follow “Clean, Drain and Dry” rules to ensure they don’t accidentally carry invasive species from one water body to another.
State of Montana:
- All vehicles carrying watercraft are required to stop at all open inspection stations.
- An aquatic invasive species prevention pass is required for all anglers, including those who purchased a fishing license before May 19. The cost is $2 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
- All watercraft entering Montana from out of state must be inspected for aquatic invasive species prior to launch.
- All watercraft crossing west over the Continental Divide must also be inspected.
- All watercraft leaving Tiber Reservoir or Canyon Ferry Reservoir be decontaminated, unless they are part of the certified local boater program.
- Boaters should clean all debris from the watercraft and trailer, pull drain plugs and make sure all compartments, bilges and ballasts are drained.
- Dry wells, storage areas and compartments, as well as the vessel itself, should be dried after use.
Glacier Park:
- This year, only hand-propelled watercraft are allowed on park waters.
- All visitors with non-motorized boats, kayaks, paddleboards and other watercraft are required to stop at the boat-inspection station at Apgar Village prior to launch.
- Waters on the west side of the park are currently open, while east-side lakes and rivers open June 1.
- An inspection will be required upon each entry to the park if visitors intend to launch their vessel. Those staying overnight in the park will not need a daily inspection.
Whitefish Lake:
- Motorized boaters headed to Whitefish Lake State Park and City Beach must undergo a boat inspection prior to launch
- Non-motorized watercraft are also required to be inspected, but boaters can take a 30-minute certification test and print out the results by visiting whitefishlake.org. Those who complete the test will receive a boat sticker allowing them to bypass future inspections.
Flathead Reservation:
- No use of motorized watercraft or boat trailers on any reservation water, with the exception of Flathead Lake and the Lower Flathead River, below the dam.
- Pablo Reservoir and Ninepipe Reservoir are closed to all watercraft.
- Boaters are required to stop at all watercraft inspection stations.
- Once a watercraft has been inspected, it will not be required to have another inspection this season unless it is launched on waters outside the Flathead Basin.
- Watercraft used only in Flathead Lake and are non-transportable or launched only by rail or shore stations, can apply for a Flathead Lake Local Boat Certificate to fulfill the need for inspection prior to launching in Flathead Lake.
• The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation is staffing an inspection station at 406 Sixth Ave. East in Polson, Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
For more information, contact the Natural Resources Department at 675-2700.
Blackfeet Reservation:
- All watercraft are allowed on Blackfeet Reservation waters.
- Watercraft and wading equipment are required to get inspections prior to launch, which will be good for three days.
- Anglers that travel off the reservation within those three days must get all equipment re-inspected.
- All watercraft and wading equipment traveling from the Missouri River system must be dried 24 hours prior to use or inspection of the reservation.
- Felt-bottom boots are illegal and may not be worn in any lake or stream on the reservation.