The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on tentatively approved fishing regulations that would remain in effect through 2007.

Changes to current regulations are listed below.

Region 1—Northwestern Montana

* On Lake Koocanusa, anglers would be allowed to use up to two attended lines with no more than two hooks per line.

* On Noxon Rapids Reservoir, from Birdland Bay Bridge to Noxon Rapids Dam, the bass limit would be five daily and in possession; except one daily and in possession, with a 22-inch minimum, from June 15 to July 15. This regulation change would clarify the upper boundary of this special bass regulation.

* 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 River that allow catch-and-release fishing and some limited harvest are subject to negotiation and approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Negotiations will be completed in the fall.


Region 2—Western Montana

* On Beavertail Pond, the bass limit would be three daily and in possession, none over 12 inches. Managers seek to establish a family fishery similar to Frenchtown Pond where this regulation ensures that larger fish survive to spawn.

Region 3—Southwestern Montana

* The Jefferson River, from the mouths of Hells Canyon and Willow Springs creeks, would be closed to fishing from April 1 through April 30 and from October 15 through November 30. The closure, now in effect as an emergency regulation, would help protect spawning wild trout.

Region 4—Central Montana

* On Tiber Reservoir, anglers would be required to immediately release or keep all cisco and whitefish. Kept fish would be counted as part of one’s limit. It is unlawful to possess live cisco or whitefish for any reason. This regulation makes it clear that live cisco and whitefish may not be transported away from Tiber Reservoir, a popular place for collecting legal live baitfish. Keeping cisco in the reservoir also maximizes the forage base for walleye.

Region 5—Southeastern Montana

* On the Bighorn River, sauger and walleye anglers could keep a total of five fish daily, but only one could be a sauger. Possession limit would be 10 fish, but only two could be sauger . All fish would be required to be kept whole (gills and entrails could be removed) until anglers are off the water and done fishing for the day.   Sauger, a Montana species of special concern, are only rarely seen anywhere in the Bighorn River.

The tentative regulations are available for review on the FWP web site at 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 Sept. 9. The FWP Commission is scheduled to take final action on the fishing regulations on Oct. 6 in Scobey, MT.

 

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