Drainpipe cause of New Zealand mudsnails at FWP fish hatchery

Press release

Since New Zealand mudsnails were detected at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bluewater Fish Hatchery Aug. 18, the department continues to look at whether infected fish were stocked at lakes or reservoirs and what led to the infestation.

The Bluewater Fish Hatchery, located near Bridger in southcentral Montana, is a trout hatchery and is the third largest production facility in the state. This is the first time New Zealand mudnsails — NZM — have been found at a FWP hatchery.

The likely cause of the infestation is a drainpipe from the hatchery that drains into neighboring Bluewate...