$230,000 For Future Fisheries Improvements

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Over $230,000 in funding was approved this month by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission for 18 Montana Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects. The Commission funded projects in areas across Montana, including eight located west of the Continental Divide and 10 located east of the Continental Divide. The fisheries improvements will help westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout, as well as walleye and yellow perch. Work includes stream channel and spawning habitat improvements; stream bank stabilization using natural materials; projects to increase stream flow; removal of barriers to fish migration; installation of screens on irrigation diversions; and installation of barriers to preserve the genetic purity of native and wild species. This year’s funding was matched by nearly $370,000 from outside sources. Private citizens, citizen groups, watershed groups and others submitted a total of 23 proposed projects. There is still time to submit a proposal for projects designed to provide long-term stream-flow enhancements that can be completed in time to help fish populations survive this summer’s anticipated drought conditions. Those proposals are due April 20. All other applications for Future Fisheries grants are due July 1 to FWP’s Habitat Protection Bureau. Application forms are available from FWP regional offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow, Miles City or the Fisheries Division in Helena. The application is also on FWP’s web page under the fishing section at http://fwp.state.mt.us . Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for Future Fisheries Improvement Program funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. All program funds come from the sale of Montana fishing licenses. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs extending Future Fisheries Improvement Program dollars. For more information on the Future Fisheries Improvement program, call (406) 444-2449 or write to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Future Fisheries Improvement Program; P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 69620-0701.