Fish reg proposals address hoop nets, Fort Peck Reservation boundaries
The use of hoop nets to catch fish would be prohibited across eastern Montana and fishing limits would be standardized in boundary waters of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation under proposed fishing regulations for the 2008-2011 fishing seasons.
Other changes proposed by Fish, Wildlife & Parks would require unattended fishing devices – such as setlines and minnow traps – to have owner identification attached and eliminate the requirement to leave a one-inch square of skin on most fish fillets.
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comments on these and other proposed fishing regulations before they are considered by the FWP Commission in September. Preliminary comments are requested by June 1 and can be made by emailing fwpfsh@mt.gov or writing FWP, Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. The Commission will finalize the fishing rules for the 2008-2011 seasons in October.
Among the biggest changes to eastern Montana anglers is the proposal to eliminate hoop nets as a method of taking fish in FWP administrative regions 5, 6 and 7. Hoop nets, large mesh nets similar to the gear that fisheries biologists use to assess fish populations, are placed in rivers by permitted anglers and must be checked and emptied at least every 48 hours.
“We are recommending that hoop nets be deleted as a means of taking fish because of their potential for impacting non-target and/or non-game species,” says Bill Wiedenheft, FWP’s Region 6 fisheries manager. “While the nets are placed by anglers hoping to catch a certain one or two species, the gear is indiscriminate and can cause localized impacts to fish populations, including species of concern.”
Another proposal would standardize daily and possession limits for non-tribal members fishing waters that border the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The change would require non-tribal anglers who fish the reaches of Big Muddy Creek and the Missouri and Milk rivers that border the reservation to adhere to the most conservative daily or possession limit imposed by either jurisdiction.
Under the proposed regulations, the limit in these boundary waters would be five ling, 10 catfish, five northern pike, one paddlefish, five sauger/walleye daily and 10 in possession. There would be no allowed harvest of shovelnose or pallid sturgeon.
“This regulation is needed to address some ambiguity that may allow non-tribal members using licenses legally purchased from FWP and/or the Fort Peck Tribes to harvest two daily limits of fish,” says FWP Warden Captain Mike Herman.
Statewide, FWP proposes:
Requiring all unattended fishing devices, including setlines, fish traps and minnow traps, to have owner identification clearly attached; Eliminating the requirement to leave a one-inch square patch of skin on each non-salmonid fillet; Reducing the number of rods allowed at designated “Children’s Fishing Waters”; Considering restrictions on baitfish at some waters to prevent the introduction of disease and invasive species;
Additional issues listed by FWP region, and opportunities to comment, are available online at fwp.mt.gov. Click Help Improve Regs! A brochure that outlines Montana’s fishing regulation issues is available online under Help Improve Regs!, at all FWP offices and many license providers, or by calling 406-444-2449.
Final regulations will take effect March 1, 2008 and be in effect through the 2011 fishing season.
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