The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council took action on Tuesday, August 8th to allow watercraft with electric trolling motors on some Flathead Reservation water bodies.
“Tribal scientists and managers are working with Flathead Basin Commission, State of Montana and other water quality experts to understand the potential impacts from the AIS threat and identify steps the Tribes can take to further protect the waters of the Flathead Reservation,” said Tom McDonald, Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation.
Watercraft restrictions to the Flathead Reservation’s existing boating regulations changed to allow electric trolling motors on watercraft that were listed under the emergency closure: Watercrafts with electric trolling motors will be allowed on Flathead Reservation water bodies along with hand propelled, non-trailered watercraft including; kayaks, canoes, rafts and paddleboards.
These measures are being implemented in accordance with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Aquatic Invasive Species Program recommendation.
A partial listing of Flathead Reservation Water bodies that are included in this change of restrictions are:
- Lone Pine Reservoir
- Upper Dry Fork Reservoir
- Dog/Rainbow Lake
- Upper Jocko Lake
- Black Lake
- St. Mary’s Lake
- Mission Reservoir
- McDonald Lake
- Kicking Horse Reservoir
- Crow Reservoir
For more information on this restriction change contact Tom McDonald, Erik Hanson or Germaine White at 675-2700.
