Final FWP Management Plan
The FWP Commission adopted the final Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan at the Commission meeting in Helena on May 13, 2010. The finalized plan, which sets management direction, includes adoption of a modified version of alternative 2 for walleye strategies on Canyon Ferry.
Implementation of various parts of the plan will begin immediately; regulation changes will be presented to the FWP Commission as part of the annual fishing regulation setting process with tentatives to be approved at their August meeting. Following the August FWP Commission meeting, a public comment period on the proposed regulation changes will take place before final adoption in October, 2010. All regulation changes will go into effect March 1, 2011.
Public Involvement Opportunities
Although the opportunity for public comment on the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan 2010-2019 has passed, annual reviews of the status of the fisheries and meeting of plan targets and triggers occur each fall. Public participation and comment is encouraged during these reviews. Additionally, any time fishing regulation changes are proposed to meet plan objectives, public involvement is included as part of that process.
Open Houses
FWP hosted a series of community open houses in September and October to discuss the draft plan and to provide opportunities to comment. The public was invited to attend at the following locations:
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| September 22, 2009 | Butte - Warbonnet Inn, 2100 Cornell Ave. [Map 144 KB] |
| September 24, 2009 | Bozeman - Wingate Inn, 2305 Catron St. [Map98 KB] |
| October 1, 2009 | Helena - Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 98 West Custer Ave. [Map 237 KB] |
| October 5, 2009 | Townsend - Broadwater High School Multipurpose Rm., 201 N. Spruce St. [Map 133 KB] |
| October 7, 2009 | Great Falls - Mansfield Center Gibson Rm., 2 Park Drive South [Map 144 KB] |
| October 8, 2009 | Billings - Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane [Map104 KB] |
Issue Fact Sheet
Below is the Issue Fact Sheet presentated at the Open houses for public consideration. Included in the recommendations are alternatives as well as FWP preferred alternatives.
Issue Fact Sheet ( 46 KB)
Citizen Workgroup
The workgroup will participate in the effort to identify, define, and recommend fish management and regulation approaches on Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs and on the Missouri River section below Hauser Dam.
Guiding Principles
- The Upper Missouri River angling and recreation community includes warm- and coldwater anglers, ice-fishing anglers, fisheries managers, outfitters, public-land managers, private landowners, local businesses, local governments, and other interests.
- Montana's fisheries are held in trust by the State of Montana for the enjoyment of all.
- The Upper Missouri River's three- reservoir system is to be managed as a high-quality, cost-effective, year round multi-species fishery with high levels of angler satisfaction.
2000–2009 Management Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
The public has many questions about the Upper Missouri River Recreation Management Plan. We hope that you can find the answers to your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (13 KB)
