FWP seeks fishing reg comments
August 9, 2006
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on tentatively approved fishing regulations that would remain in effect March 1, 2007 through February 29, 2008.
Changes to current regulations are listed below.
Region 1-Northwestern Montana
The lake trout daily and possession limit would increase from 20 to 50, but the slot limit would not change.
On Horseshoe Lake in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, the daily and possession limit for tiger muskellunge would be one fish over 40 inches.
FWP's Bull Trout Permit--and associated special fishing regulations for Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake Koocanusa, and part of the South Fork of the Flathead Riverare subject to negotiation and approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Negotiations will be completed in the fall.
Region 2-Western Montana
Silvers Lagoon, also known as McCormick Park Pond, would be open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age and younger from April 1 through Oct. 30. The daily and possession limit would be three fish.
Clarify that Kids Pond at Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area headquarters is open all year to fishing for anglers 14 years of age and younger.
Regions 6 and 7-Eastern Montana
The Eastern Fishing District regulations for paddlefish would change in a number of ways, including:
Anglers would be limited to one paddlefish per season.
Anglers seeking to harvest paddlefish would be required to choose one of three areas: upper Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam; the lower Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam and the Yellowstone River; or the Dredge Cuts on the lower Missouri River. A tag would be issued for the area of choice.
Paddlefish harvests would be limited to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the season.
Paddlefish catch-and release would be limited to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays during the season.
The paddlefish season on Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam and the Yellowstone Rivers would run May 15-June 30.
The bow and arrow paddlefish season on the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts would run July 15-Aug 31.
The upper Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam to Fort Benton would remain open to paddlefish snagging all year.
The paddlefish season would close immediately on the Yellowstone River at Intake Dam Fishing Access Site when 800 paddlefish have been harvested, and/or within 24 hours if it appears that the harvest will exceed 1,000 fish.
The exception for anglers to be allowed to import bait from Wyoming for use on the Tongue River Reservoir would be eliminated.
The tentative regulation changes are available for review on the FWP web site fwp.mt.gov ; click on Fishing and look under Hot Topics.
Send comments to Karen Zackheim, Fisheries Operations Bureau Chief, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59601. E-mail comments to kzackheim@mt.gov.
Comments must be received by September 15. The FWP Commission is scheduled to take final action on the fishing regulations on October 19 in Miles City, Montana.
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