Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on fishing contests proposed for the open water season of 2008. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits. Most contests require catch-and-release fishing and participants in these contests may not keep any fish.

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 needed.

Information on the proposed contests is on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov , or call 406-444-2449. The public may comment on the proposed contests through Dec. 21 before FWP acts on the applications.

Comments may be sent to: FWP Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620. or by email to: npodolinsky@mt.gov. Here is a list of the proposed summer fishing contests for 2008:
Proposed 2008 Open Water Derbies

Region 1
Mar. 3 - April 27—(Fri, Sat, Sun) Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake

April 19 - 20—Montana BASS Federation Qualifier on Noxon Rapids Reservoir

May 3 - 4—Noxon Open Team Tournament on Noxon Rapids Reservoir

May 17 - 18—Koocanusa Resort and Marina 6th Annual Fishing Derby on Lake Koocanusa

July 5 - 6—Tobacco Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fishing Derby on Lake Koocanusa

July 26 - 27—Tri-State Tournament on Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Aug. 2 - 3—10th Annual Great Montana “Mac Attack” on Flathead Lake

Aug. 2 - 3—EMBA Noxon Reservoir Invitational on Noxon Reservoir

Aug. 22 - 24—2nd Annual Whitefish Jig Fest on Flathead Lake

Sept. 26—Nov. 9—Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake (Fri., Sat., Sun.)

Sept. 27—Tri-State Tournament on Noxon Reservoir

Region 3

July 12—Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby at Sacajawea Park lagoon

Region 4

May 24 - 25—Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby on the Missouri River

May 31—Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

June 14—Canyon Ferry Carp Safari on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

June 6 - 8—Ma’s Loma Cafe Fishing Derby on Missouri River

June 14—Western Bar Summer Derby on Willow Creek Reservoir

June 15—White Sulphur Springs Lions Club Father’s Day Derby on Newlan Creek

June 14 - 15—Tiber Walleye Tournament on Tiber Reservoir

June 28 - 29—Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

July 12—Archer’s Den 3rd Annual Carp Shoot on all fishable waterbodies in Region 4

July 19—Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Aug. 2—John Arnold Fish Derby on Hauser Lake

Aug. 9—Mc’s Kids Fishing Derby on Willow Creek Reservoir

Aug. 16—MRF Sinking Tip Scramble on the Missouri River

Region 5

May 10—Yellowstone Challenge on the Yellowstone River

June 20 - 22—EMBA Yellowtail Barry’s Landing Invitational on Yellowtail Reservoir

July 12 - 13—EMBA Okabeh Marina Invitational on Yellowtail Reservoir

July 25—5th Annual Fish Contest on Fox Lake, Kersey Lake, Lake Abundance, Long

    Lake, Lower Aero Lake, Ovis Lake, Rock Island Lake, Round Lake, Upper

    Aero  Lake

Region 6

April 19—Tough Guy Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

May 17 - 18—Fresno Challenge on Fresno Reservoir

May 31 - June 1—Montana BASS Federation Qualifier on Fort Peck Reservoir

May 31 - June 1—Rock Creek Walleye Tournament      on Fort Peck Reservoir

June 7—9th Annual Milk River Catfish Classic on the Milk River

June 7 - 8—EMBA Fort Peck - Hell Creek Invitational on Fort Peck Reservoir

June 21 - 22—PI-Eye 1st Annual Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

July 10 - 12—Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

July 19—Women's Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

July 26 - 27—Men's Hell Creek Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug. 2 - 3—Fall Classic on Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug. 9—Salmon/Lake Trout Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug. 16—Walleyes Unlimited Women’s Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir

Region 7

May 3 - 4—EMBA Tongue Reservoir Invitational on Tongue River Reservoir

June 14—Savage Volunteer Fire Dept. Catfish Tournament on the Yellowstone River

July 5—Yellowstone Trail Invitational on the Yellowstone River