Can I take my boat to Montana to fish? Regulations, costs?

[wapiti hunter2]

I want to take my boat to Montana to fish some lakes. Are there regulations I need to know about, costs, permits, licenses?  Any help or point me in the right direction is appreciated.

[C-Money]

As long as it is currently licensed in WA, that should be about it. Just be POSITIVE you have all the water drained out of the boat, and ALL specks or hints of any aquatic plants are washed off. Idaho will have you pull off for a boat inspection. Never had any issue going out of state with my boat. Sounds like a fun trip over to Montana!

[wapiti hunter2]

As long as it is currently licensed in WA, that should be about it. Just be POSITIVE you have all the water drained out of the boat, and ALL specks or hints of any aquatic plants are washed off. Idaho will have you pull off for a boat inspection. Never had any issue going out of state with my boat. Sounds like a fun trip over to Montana!

Ok, thanks

[ribka]

No problem

Just stop at inspection stations in Idaho and Montana.

[Mossy]

Hopefully they aren't like Idaho....I had to purchase an invasive species permit to launch in their waters.

[Henrydog]

I have taken a boat to Montana several times...no issues.  I have had a game dept or a grad student do a once over on the boat.  Ask where I was from and where I was going and was told to have fun.  Idaho is a different story.  You do not need their sticker since you are not launching.  Be sure to tell them you are headed to Mt, and you will be fine

[EmeraldBullet]

If you leave a harbor in Washington and don't dock, and make you way to montana you not only can fish there, you can fish there adhering only to the laws in Washington where you disembarked (navigable waters treaty). Of coarse if you have to hit land before doing your fishing (to refill or whatnot) then this law no longer applies.

[Ghost Hunter]

Stopped at an Oregon inspection to inspect my canoe on way back from WY last year.  Hadn't taken it off the truck.  OR has a $5 permit for anything over 10'.  I just got WA registration for my 16' canoe.  Hope somebody doesn't tell me I put them on the wrong end