Koi And Goldfish Are Controlled Exotic Species

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Ornamental ponds are popular ways to "decorate" in the outdoors, even in Montana.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission recently made it simpler for people to stock koi and goldfish by designating the fish as controlled exotic wildlife that may be legally stocked in an outdoor pond without a license, as long as the pond meets certain criteria including:

·         surface area of less than 400 square feet,

·         200 yards or more away from open water,

·         outside of the 10-year flood plane,

·         without any diverted surface water running into the pond, and

·         no discharge to surface water.

Koi and goldfish kept in outdoor ponds must still be registered with FWP by contacting the FWP Fisheries Division at 406-444-2449, or going to the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov on the Fishing page under Licenses and Permits. In the past, pond owners needed a noncommercial private fish-pond license to legally stock koi and goldfish in these ponds.

  Any ponds that do not meet the new criteria must still obtain a $10 noncommercial, private fish-pond license from FWP prior to purchasing or stocking fish. The license will indicate which fish species the pond owner may plant and under what conditions—for example, fish barriers may also be required.

Ponds are regulated to ensure that exotic fish, fish diseases, aquatic nuisance species do not harm Montana’s wild fish   and fish habitat.

  Most of Montana’s streams support wild fish without artificial stocking, and the introduction of unwanted fish species or the diversion of water for artificial ponds could potentially affect the natural ecological balance.  

To obtain more information on building and managing private fish ponds and the regulations associated with them, contact your local FWP office or access the FWP pond guide at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/ponds.html.