2009 Tentative Fishing Regulations
Approved by Commission August 5, 2008
On August 5, 2008 the FWP Commission approved tentative fishing regulation changes for the 2009 fishing season. These proposed changes are now out for 30-day period of public review and comment. Comments must be received by September 12, 2008. After an evaluation of public comments, the FWP will propose final regulation changes to the Commission, and post them on this same website. The FWP Commission is scheduled to take final action on the fishing regulations on October 16, 2008 in Helena, MT.
To see the changes and send your comments, visit the Tentative Fishing Regulations page.
Future Fisheries Restoration
Beginning in 1995, the Montana legislature passed the Future Fisheries Improvement Program,
which increased the dollars allocated to fish habitat restoration and expanded
the program to include habitat improvements in lakes or reservoirs. In 1999,
the legislature expanded the program and earmarked a portion of the funding
allocated to the program specifically for projects that enhance habitat for
bull or cutthroat trout, with an emphasis on reclaiming mining related impacts.
Projects include:
- riparian fencing and off-stream water development to improve habitat streamside areas;
- re-vegetation of stream banks and streamside areas to stabilize banks and cool the water;
- installation of screening devices on irrigation diversions to prevent the entrainment of fish in the ditches;
- removal of barriers or installation of fish ladders around barriers to facilitate the upstream movement of spawning fishes;
- construction of barriers in selected locations to prevent non-native trout from competing with or
hybridizing with genetically pure native cutthroat populations;
- reconstruction of stream channels that have been modified from their natural form as a result of land use practices or channelization;
- water conservation measures that result in a greater quantity of water left in-stream; and
- installation of habitat structures in lakes and reservoirs that provide cover or enhance spawning.
Future Fisheries applications
are considered every year in January and July. An independent review panel recommends Future Fisheries projects to fund to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission. Call 406-444-2449 for information or click here for details.
- Future Fisheries Restoration on the Tongue River in Eastern Montana [Full Story]
- Future Fisheries Restoration in the Big Hole [Full Story]
- Future Fisheries Fact Sheet [Full Story]
- Future Fisheries Fact Sheet by Numbers [Full Story]
The articles in this issue highlight the wide diversity of tremendous fisheries we manage in the state; from hatchery supported walleye and trout fisheries in a variety of reservoirs to our internationally recognized wild trout fisheries.
[Newsletter]
The last official weekend of “summer” is here, but the fishing action is far from over. In fact, lower water temperatures resulting from the longer, colder nights will cause fishing action to pick up across much of the state. [Full Story]
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on tentative changes to the fishing regulations that would go into effect on March 1, 2009. (August 08)
BOZEMAN—The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission today reopened the west channel of the Yellowstone River through Livingston to boating, floating and swimming effective at Midnight Friday Aug. 29. (August 28)
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has lifted fishing limits on Lower Big Hawk Lake, in the South Fork Flathead River drainage, to allow licensed anglers unrestricted harvest of cutthroat trout from the lake through Sept. 20. This lake is located at Township 27 N, Range 18 W and sections 14 and 15. It is also called Big Hawk Lake on the Flathead National Forest map and has two lobes, both of which qualify for unrestricted angling. (August 08)
More than four decades ago, fisheries biologist Pat Marcuson started keeping meticulous notes on the natural lakes that dot the major mountain ranges of south central Montana. Fish species. Maximum, minimum and average fish size and weight. Stocking details. Availability of firewood and camp sites. Elevation and distance from trails. Trail length and incline. And detailed observations by biologists about every inlet, outlet, lakebed and spawning opportunity.
(June 10)
Patti Sowka, director of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, got the call on a recent Tuesday afternoon. A facility maintenance person found an ailing loon wrapped in fishing line near the Big Sandy fishing access site at Hauser Lake. Gerry Ryan, a Montana Wildlife Center volunteer, picked up the loon and delivered it to Swoka, who quickly sent it to a local vet for treatment and an X-ray. The loon had ingested two fishhooks and did not survive. (May 02)
The red validation decal obtained for motorboats, sailboats, or personal watercraft will expire on Feb. 29. The green boat validation decal needed before launching boats this spring is valid through Feb. 28, 2011.
(February 07)
Ornamental ponds are popular ways to "decorate" in the outdoors, even in Montana. (August 10)
