Yellowstone News and Information

  NEWS RELEASE Public input sought on proposed measures to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species into Yellowstone National Park 30-day public comment period starts today AIS technicians decontaminating a motorized boat and trailer NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  March 7, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY –  Yellowstone National Park seeks public comment on proposed measures to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) into park waters. The proposals include a 30-day mandatory dry time for some types of motorized boats and sailboats before entering park waters and the prohibition of watercraft previously fouled by mussels regardless of dry time.   Yellowstone faces an increased risk of invasion by highly invasive  zebra and quagga mussels  following recent detections (2022 Pactola Reservoir, South Dakota, and 2023 Snake River, Twin Falls, Idaho) in waterways within a day’s drive of the park. Mussels have caused irreversib

  NEWS RELEASE Yellowstone National Park reminds boaters, anglers to clean, drain and dry; Protect park waters: Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species       AIS technicians decontaminating a motorized boat and trailer       NPS / Jacob W. Frank MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY - Yellowstone National Park announces boating and fishing season will begin Saturday, May 28, and emphasizes  clean, drain and dry  to prevent the spread of  aquatic invasive species (AIS)  and protect park waters. The season will close Oct. 31. Boaters and anglers must  clean, drain and dry  all boats 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 Boaters

Statement from Yellowstone National Park Lead Fisheries Biologist Todd Koel about Montana FWP’s announcement of the smallmouth bass found in the Gardner River, north of Yellowstone National Park                     Smallmouth bass                         USFWS / Eric Engbretson News Release Date:  March 9, 2022 Contact:   Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 “Smallmouth bass are an invasive predatory species that will threaten our wild and native trout populations if they become established in the upper Yellowstone River. Since anglers are highly effective at suppressing invasive fish in waters where they coexist with native species such as cutthroat trout, they will be required to kill and report any smallmouth bass caught in Yellowstone National Park when the fishing season opens Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, Yellowstone National Park and USGS biologists will be sampling the Gardner and Yellowstone rivers, upstream of where the invasive smallmouth bass was caught. Over the next few

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  News Release Yellowstone National Park aquatic invasive species boat inspection finds quagga mussels; Detection prevents mussels entering park waters Mike Locatelli, Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist, flushing an engine NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date: June 23, 2021 Contact: Morgan Warthin , (307) 344-2015 A Yellowstone National Park aquatic invasive species (AIS) boat inspector found quagga mussels on a visitor’s boat during a routine AIS inspection Thursday, June 17, at Grant Village. The inspector prevented the contaminated boat from launching. Detection of the mussels prevented a major potential release of this highly invasive species into Yellowstone waters. If released into park waters, AIS can cause catastrophic changes to the ecosystem. Quagga mussels ( Dreissena rostriformis bugensis ) are one of many AIS that pose a grave risk to the ecology, recreation and economy of the park and beyond. Preventing the release of AIS is critical be

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News Release Boaters and anglers reminded to drain, clean, and dry Help prevent the spread of invasive species and have watercraft inspected before launching on park waters Park staff inspects boat at aquatic invasive species check station NPS Photo/J. Bonney News Release Date: May 18, 2021 Contact: Denise Germann, 307.739.3393 Contact: C.J. Adams, 307.739.3431 MOOSE, WY— Local residents and visitors to Grand Teton National Park are reminded to do their part to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and have their watercraft inspected before launching on park waters. Those who recreate on park waters have a responsibility to drain, clean, and dry their vessel, as well as check fishing gear before launching in the park. The park is working in partnership with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to provide education, watercraft inspections, and monitoring to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species into Wyoming. All watercraft ente