Wyoming remains free of invasive mussels after a challenging year protecting the state from aquatic invasive species. Over the summer season, Wyoming Game and Fish Department watercraft check stations inspected more than 68,000 boats across the state. Game and Fish personnel decontaminated 924 boats, and inspectors found live mussels on two.
This marks the highest number of decontaminations since the AIS program was established in 2010 by the State Legislature, and the first-time live mussels were found on boats at Wyoming’s check stations. AIS check stations are regarded as the first line of defense against invasives entering the state or being spread between Wyoming’s waters.
Those range from invasive plants like curly pondweed, which Wyoming does have, to species that the state has managed to keep out, like Asian carp and zebra or quagga mussels.
In Wyoming the law requires any watercraft transported into the state from March 1 through Nov. 30 must undergo a mandatory inspection by an authorized inspector prior to launching.
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