Canyon Ferry Walleyes to Get Reward Tags

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State fisheries biologists this spring will put reward tags on 500 walleye in Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

The tags will bring $75 each to anglers who report catching one of walleye, whether they keep the fish or release it.

“We’re tagging the fish as part of a larger study to determine what percentage of tags anglers are voluntarily returning,” says Steve Dalbey, Fish, Wildlife and Parks fisheries biologist.

Biologists are also trying to determine what percentage of the total walleye population anglers are keeping.  

About 1,000 walleyes will be captured and tagged near known spawning areas throughout the spring. Biologists will weigh, measure, age and tag the fish.

Half of the fish will receive an orange tag that states, REWARD $75.   The other 500 will receive the standard fisheries tag. If a fish with either tag is caught, FWP would like to hear about it.

Anglers should call in the tag number and include date and general location of capture, length of fish and most importantly, if the fish was harvested or released. Tags can be removed, or clipped, and the fish released.

“Reward tags have been used for years in waterfowl management to determine tag (band) return compliance,” says Eric Roberts, FWP senior fisheries technician on Canyon Ferry.   “The amount of $75 is the value where nearly 100 percent of anglers will return the tag.”

FWP will place signs at all major access sites on Canyon Ferry with contact information.

Anglers who catch a tagged fish should call Eric Roberts, (406) 495-3272, or mail the tag with date and general location of capture, length of fish and if the fish was harvested to Eric Roberts, FWP, 930 W. Custer, Helena   MT   59620.