Yellowstone National Park reminds boaters, anglers to clean, drain and dry

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. (KIFI) – Boating and fishing season begins in Yellowstone National Park on Saturday, May 27 and ends Oct. 31. Boaters and anglers can protect Yellowstone’s waters by following clean, drain and dry guidelines to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS).

Clean, drain and dry all boats, trailers and equipment prior to arriving in the park to minimize the risk of introducing AIS into Yellowstone’s waters. Watercraft equipped with sealed internal ballast tanks are banned from all park waters as inspections cannot always detect aquatic invaders in these types of boats. In addition, felt-soled footwear is banned because they can carry microscopic disease organisms even after cleaning.

Clean, Drain, Dry

Clean all plants, animals, mud, sand and other debris from your boat, anchor, boots and equipment. Use high-pressure, hot (120-140F) water if possible.
Drain all water from your boat, including the motor, bilge, livewell and other compartments before you arrive. Leave drain plugs out during transport. Do not move water or organisms from one water body into another.
Dry all compartments and equipment in the sun for five days.

Clean, drain and dry requirements are critical steps to protect the park’s and nation’s waterways.

AIS

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) and nonnative organisms pose a grave and growing threat to Yellowstone National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
AIS can quickly and drastically transform habitats and food chains, causing permanent declines in fish and food resources for native wildlife. Preventing the introduction of AIS is critical as eradication is costly and usually impossible.

Growing Threats

Dreissenid Mussels, including Zebra and Quagga Mussels, are among the world's most harmful invasive species, with large and widespread ecological and economic effects. If Zebra or Quagga mussels are found in Yellowstone, park waters may close to all watercraft to prevent the spread to other waterways. Yellowstone National Park straddles the Continental Divide and headwaters that flow from the park drain to the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Invasion of park waters by invasive mussels would mean devastating effects on the park’s thriving and diverse aquatic ecosystem, and detrimental impacts to recreation, waterways and communities downstream.

People are encouraged to report violations and potential discoveries of AIS. The park will continue efforts to develop an AIS Management Plan and Rapid Response Framework.

Permits and Inspections

Watercraft and angler float tubes must have a Yellowstone National Park AIS inspection and permit prior to launching in park waters. Permits and inspections are available for purchase 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days per week during the summer season at the following locations:

Motorized and non-motorized watercraft (including angler float tubes and paddle boards)

• Bridge Bay Ranger Station
• Grant Marina
• Lewis Lake Ranger Station

Angler float tubes only

• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center
• Bechler Ranger Station
• Mammoth Backcountry Office
• Northeast Entrance Station
• Grant Backcountry Office

Watercraft with evidence of dead or live quagga or zebra mussels will not be allowed to launch into Yellowstone waters.

Yellowstone fishing permits can be purchased at in-park stores, vendors in surrounding communities or online via Recreation.gov.

Read more about boating, fishing and AIS on the park’s website.