State fisheries managers are asking Montana anglers for their comments on several current fishing issues that could lead to fishing regulation changes for the year 2000-2001. Karen Zackheim, Management Bureau Chief of Fisheries for Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Helena, said the identification of problems and issues is the first step in setting regulations for the next two years. The public is invited to review the issues identified by FWP for consideration in recommending changes to the fishing regulations for 2000-2001, and to comment by June 4. FWP will begin drafting specific regulations to address many of these issues later next month. Your input is important. Tentative regulations will be available for public review in September. The recent legislative session enacted some changes that will result in new fishing regulations. These changes are not included in the list of identified issues, but will be available for public review with the tentatives in September. Most notably, HB 20 requires a warm water fishing stamp to fish on listed water east of the Continental Divide. Issues that cross multi-regional boundaries are listed as statewide to facilitate broader public input. Below is a list of statewide and region-specific issues for your review. A brochure outlining these issues will be available at all FWP license agents and FWP offices by May 12. For information, call your nearest FWP office. General Statewide Issues Allow cast nets (maximum of 6-foot radius) and dip nets (maximum of 3-feet square) for the collection of live minnows (other than game fish variety). Provide increased opportunity for spear fishing of statutorily approved species: walleye, sauger, northern pike, and nongame fish. For clarification, define bull trout as any trout with white leading margins on the lower fins and no black markings on the dorsal fin. Provide consistency in regulations for fishing within wilderness areas and on adjoining streams or rivers. Increase protection of potentially declining sauger populations with more conservative limits. Standardize the language for transportation of live fish to allow transport for commercial purposes and for use as live bait subject to FWP Commission restrictions. Reconsider a change in the requirement to leave only a small portion of skin on non-salmonid fish filets for species identification. Region 1 Standardize and simplify regulations for westslope cutthroat trout in Western Fishing District streams. Consider revising the Thompson River regulations to provide winter fishing opportunity, increase the overall abundance of trout, increase the opportunities to catch large trout, and provide additional protection for westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout. Region 2 Provide year around fishing for northern pike on the Clark Fork River and liberalize limits in response to increasing populations. Consider catch and release for westslope cutthroat trout on the Clark Fork River from Perkins Lane Bridge (near Warm Springs) to the mouth of the Thompson River with standard tackle regulations, and catch and release for westslope cutthroat trout on Fish Creek, St. Regis River, Petty Creek, and Ninemile Creek with standard tackle regulations. Tributaries to Fish Creek, St. Regis River, and Petty Creek would return to the standard daily and possession limits, and tackle regulations. Consider liberalizing the harvest of brown trout on the Blackfoot River. Region 3 Consider catch and release for cutthroat trout on tributaries flowing into Yellowstone Park from the north (Hellroaring Creek, Buffalo Fork Creek, Slough Creek, and Soda Butte Creek). Manage Beaver Creek Ponds as put and take rather than trophy wild trout with no restrictions on tackle and standard limits. Expand opportunities for urban fishing. - remove closure on Bozeman Creek (Sourdough Creek). - remove closure on Indian Creek (near Sheridan). - remove closure on Middle Creek (Hyalite Creek) near Bozeman. Review the need for special regulations on Cave Bay and Magpie Bay in Canyon Ferry. Consider more liberal limits for walleye and possibly more conservative limits for yellow perch and/or trout. This issue will be addressed in the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan this summer. Consider minimum size restrictions for walleye on Dailey Lake. Consider reducing limits to protect the fishery resource in Otter Lake without eliminating fishing opportunities. Consider regulation changes to protect westslope cutthroat trout in Rock Creek Reservoirs, and in additional tributaries upstream of Ruby Dam with restrictions similar to other tributaries in the area. Region 4 Consider reducing limits on one or more lakes, ponds or reservoirs with public access in central Montana where there is recognized potential to improve fishing for trophy-sized trout. Consider liberalizing limits for walleye on Hauser, Holter, and the Missouri River below Holter in response to increasing fish populations. This issue will be addressed in the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan this summer. Consider more conservative regulations to protect brown trout in Hauser. This issue will be addressed in the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan this summer. Consider restricting Beaver Creek to fishing from June 15 to Sept 30 to protect spawning rainbow (and browns?). This issue will be addressed in the Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan this summer. Consider more restrictive regulations to protect spawning trout on the Dearborn River. Region 5 Consider restricting Yellowstone cutthroat trout harvest to catch and release in Slough Creek, Buffalo Fork Creek, Soda Butte Creek, and Hellroaring Creek. Region 6 Consider adding Bailey, Beaver Creek, and Headstrom Reservoirs to the list of waters open to live minnow fishing. Provide more protection for rainbow trout below Fort Peck Dam in the Missouri River from March 1 through June 30 to protect spawning fish. Region 7 Consider allowing minnows to be used as bait in the Doug Gardner Bass Pond.
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