Efforts of Wyoming Game and Fish keep state mussel free for another year – Sheridan Media

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports their efforts to keep aquatic invasive species, particularly zebra and quagga mussels, out of the state’s waters have paid off this past year. The department utilized longer hours and extended the season to inspect more than 65,000 boats for AIS. Due to their hard work and boaters efforts, Wyoming remains one of the few states in the country not to have quagga and zebra mussels.

According to the Game and Fish, personnel conducted 65,567 boat inspections in 2022, down from 68,140 in 2021. However, the number of high-risk inspections went up from 4,187 in 2021 to 4,747 this year. 

Josh Leonard, Game and Fish aquatic invasive species coordinator, said the rise in the number of high-risk inspections was due mostly to the discovery of zebra mussels in Pactola Reservoir, 13 miles west of Rapid City, SD, and just 27 miles from the Wyoming border. This was the first time zebra mussels were found in a body of water so close to Wyoming, and Leonard said it was especially concerning due to the amount of boaters who frequent waters on both sides of the state line. 

While there’s a growing threat of AIS at the state’s borders, Leonard said collaborative efforts with Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources led to increased compliance by the public to stop at required watercraft check stations at Keyhole and Glendo reservoirs. 

“It does not surprise me…