Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on 12 fishing contests proposed for this winter and next spring. All but two of the proposed ice-fishing contests have been sponsored in past years.
The two new derbies proposed are:
* Olney Hunter Safety Ice-Fishing Derby, sponsored by Thad’s Tackle Shop and the Stillwater Bar, to be held on Lower Stillwater Lake on March 7, 2004.
* First Annual Havre Ice Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Havre Ag Chamber, proposed for Feb. 7 - 8 on Lower Beaver Creek County Park Reservoir.
Participants may catch and keep fish entered in the contests, but must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.
Other proposed contests are:
In December 2003:
FWP Region 1 Smith Lake
In January 2004:
FWP Region 1 Thompson Chain of Lakes
FWP Region 3 Canyon Ferry Reservoir
FWP Region 4 Nilan Reservoir
In February 2004:
FWP Region 1 McGregor Lake
FWP Region 3 Clark Canyon
FWP Region 4 Newlan Reservoir
Lake Frances
FWP Region 6 Lower Beaver Creek County Park Reservoir
Fort Peck Reservoir
In March 2004:
FWP Region 1 Lower Stillwater Lake
Bitterroot Lake
Under the fishing contest rules, all applications for winter ice-fishing contests are due July 1 to allow time for processing applications. No holiday weekend contests are allowed under the new rules and in general contests may not be held on consecutive weekends.
Details on the proposed contests are contained in the table below.
Applications for contests may be approved, denied or approved with conditions. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts or require additional access site maintenance when necessary.
The public may comment on the proposed contests through Sept. 25. Comments may be sent to FWP Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620 or e-mailed to kzackheim@state.mt.us.
WINTER 2003/2004 FISHING DERBIES
DATE, FEES & PARTICIPANTS LOCATION FISH SPECIES
CONTEST NAME AND SPONSOR
Dec. 27, 2003
$3/adult; $1/kids;
$5/families
Smith Lake
Perch
Sunrisers Lions Club / Sportsman
Ski Haus
Kalispell, MT
Jan. 17 & 18, 2004
$10/person
475 participants
Lower, Middle & Upper Thompson, Crystal & Loon lake
Perch, Salmon, Rainbow and Pike
Kickin’ Horse Saloon & Eatery
Libby, MT
Jan. 17 & 18, 2004
$5/adult - $2/kids
$30/team (Sunday)
300 adults
50-75 kids
25-35 teams (Sun.)
Canyon Ferry
Perch and Ling
Perch Derby
Broadwater County Lions Club
Townsend, MT
Jan 24, 2004
$10/person
250 participants
Nilan Reservoir
Trout and Suckers
Western Bar Ice Fishing Derby
Augusta, MT
Feb. 1, 2004
Clark Canyon
Rainbow and Burbot
Stan Shafer Memorial Ice Derby
Beaverhead Search & Rescue
Dillon, MT 59725
Feb. 7 & 8, 2004
$60/person
500 participants (maximum)
Lower Beaver Creek County Park Reservoir
Walleye, Pike and Trout
1 st Annual Havre Ice Fishing Derby
Havre Ag Chamber
Feb. 7 & 8, 2004
$10/person
600 participants
McGregor Lake
Rainbow and Lake Trout
McGregor Lake Resort Annual Fishing Derby
Feb. 14, 2004
$50/one hole or
$100/three holes
350 participants
Fort Peck Lake
Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch, Ling, Carp and Sucker
Glasgow Area Chamber Ice Fishing Derby
Chamber of Commerce & Agric.
Feb. 15, 2004
$5.00/person
90 participants
Newlan Reservoir
Trout and Ling
VFW Fish Derby
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Feb. 21, 2004
$10/person
200-250 participants
Lake Frances
Northern Pike, Perch
Valier Vol. Fire Dept. – Box 216
Valier, MT 59486
March 7, 2004
$10/person
Lower Stillwater Lake
Northern Pike, Yellow Perch,
Lake Trout
Olney Hunter Safety Ice Fishing Derby
Thad’s Tackle Shop
/Stillwater Bar
March 16, 2004
$20/adult
300 participants
Bitterroot Lake
Kokanee and Rainbow
Bitterroot Derby
Boys & Girls Club
Kalispell, MT
Note: FWP will be accepting applications between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 for open water contests proposed for Spring and Summer 2004. Request an application by writing to the address listed above or by calling the Fisheries Division at (406) 444-2449.
Applications are also available on the FWP Fishing Web page at www.fwp.state.mt.us
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