Due to potential threats to Montana’s fishery through introduction of aquatic nuisance species, the option to import bait fish into southeastern Montana will be permanently discontinued effective January 1, 2007.   This change means that in all of Montana no bait fish can be imported. Anglers living in Wyoming who travel into Montana to fish the Tongue River Reservoir located near Decker, MT, should be aware that they can no longer bring bait fish into Montana.

Anglers fishing in Tongue River Reservoir must purchase bait fish in Montana for use in the reservoir. Bait fish can no longer be transported under permit from Wyoming into Montana. Anglers in Wyoming will have to plan ahead to purchase bait fish in Montana for use in the Tongue River Reservoir. Currently the concessionaire at the reservoir does not have bait fish available for sale to the public.  It is permissible for anglers to seine for bait fish in Montana.  However, anyone who would like to seine bait fish for sale or commercial distribution must possess a Commercial Bait Seining license.  Applications for this license, which costs $10 and must be renewed annually, are available at any regional office.  Certain requirements do apply. 

According to Region 7, FWP fisheries manager, Brad Schmitz, “There are currently many different aquatic nuisance species nation wide that pose a very real risk to our fishery. The risks to the Montana fishery are too high to continue with importation of bait fish into southeastern Montana. Common sense management tells us the time has come to reduce the risks of aquatic nuisance species importation into Montana.”

For additional information call the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 7 office at 406-234-0900.

Current Commercial Bait Seining licenses will expire the end of this calendar year and must be renewed if the holder wishes to continue that practice. Wyoming residents who have been issued a Permit to Import Live Bait Fish are reminded that those licenses will no longer be valid beginning January 1st.