Any entity with a good on-the-ground project that benefits wild fish can apply for funding through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. You are strongly urged to contact your local fisheries biologist prior to submitting an application. The local biologist typically knows the limiting factors associated with fish populations in their management area.

Application Requirements

• Talk to your regional fisheries biologist about your project idea prior to filling out an application. Contact Mark Lere at (406) 444-2432 or by email to determine the best person to speak to. A support letter from the local fisheries biologist is encouraged.
• Future Fisheries funding only can be used for the completion of "on-the-ground" projects. Funding cannot be used for watershed assessments, surveys, project designs, project administration or project coordination.
• Application forms must be completed in full, signed, and dated (the signatory must be the same as the applicant).

Applications Must Include:

• A plan-view map of the project site showing specific location(s) of planned restoration activities.
• At a minimum, a support letter from the landowner (if the applicant differs from the landowner).
• A statement clearly identifying, under Section III.D., whether the recreational public will have unregulated access to the project site.
• A clear and detailed project budget. Only budgets entered onto the Budget Template will be accepted.
  • Future Fisheries dollars cannot be used for any overhead, administration, coordination, monitoring or contingency costs.
  • Future Fisheries dollars can pay for construction oversight, but oversight quantities must be commensurate with the scale of the project. For example, if a project takes 40 hours to construct, oversight should be no more than 40 hours.
  • Budgets must clearly identify matching contributions by contributor, type (cash or in-kind services/materials) and total amount. Matching contributions are encouraged.
  • Check the math – Total cost of the project must equal the sum of the Future Fisheries grant request and the total amount of matching contributions.
• Applications involving channel restoration projects must include minimum design information as described in: Future Fisheries Design Guidelines ( 14 KB).
• Applications involving installation of riparian fencing must ensure the project does not adversely affect wildlife species. Fencing guidelines are described in: Future Fisheries Fencing Guidelines.
• Applications for water salvage or in-stream flow leasing must include completion of the: Supplemental Questionnaire for Water Leasing or Water Salvage Projects.

Submitting Applications

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications in two formats – one hard copy and one electronic copy.
• Applications may be submitted at any time, but must be received BEFORE December 1 and June 1 of each year to be considered for the subsequent funding period.
• All applications must be delivered to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Habitat Bureau, Fisheries Division, 1420 East 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Electronic version can either be submitted on a compact disc, memory stick, or can be emailed to: mlere@mt.gov. Due to size constraints, emailed applications may need to be sent in subsections.

Need Help?

Call (406) 444-2449 or write to:

Future Fisheries
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, Montana 59620-0701

Application Forms

• Future Fisheries Grant Application ( 10 KB | 38 KB)
• Future Fisheries Budget Template ( 14 KB | 27 KB)
• Supplemental Questionnaire for Water Leasing or Water Salvage Projects
  ( 69 KB | 32 KB)

Design Information

• Future Fisheries Design Guidelines ( 14 KB)

Fencing

• Future Fisheries Fencing Guidelines ( 15 KB)
• Electric Fencing Report ( 425 KB)
• A Landowner's Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences-How to Build Fence with Wildlife in Mind ( 3.3 MB)
• Wildlife Friendly Fences: How to Build Fence with Wildlife in Mind