Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on fishing contests proposed for the open water season of 2010.

Participants in these contests 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 that 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 on the Montana Fishing Guide page, or call 406-444-2449.

The public may comment through Dec. 25 in writing 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 2009:
Proposed 2010 Open Water Derbies

FWP Region 1

March 12-May 2          Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake

Apr. 25                        ABA Qualifier #5 West Side Montana on Noxon Reservoir

Apr. 24-25                   ABA Qualifier #5 West Side Montana on Noxon Reservoir

May 1-2                       Montana BASS Federation Qualifier on Noxon Reservoir

May 14-May 15        Annual Koocanusa Resort and Marina Salmon and Trout Derby on

Lake Koocanusa

May 8                          Whitefish Lake Mack Assault on Whitefish Lake

June 5                          Lower Stillwater Perch Tournament on Lower Stillwater Lake

June 12                        ABA Qualifier #3 West Side Montana on Noxon Reservoir

June 13                        ABA Qualifier #4 West Side Montana on Noxon Reservoir

June 19-20                   Fathers Day Fishing Festival on Thompson Chain of Lakes

July 10-11                    Tobacco Valley Rod & Gun Club Annual Fish Derby on Lake Koocanusa

July 17-18                    IEBC Noxon Reservoir Tournament on Noxon Reservoir

July 24-25                    ABA Qualifier #5 West Side Montana on Noxon Reservoir

July 24-25                    Clark Fork BASS Anglers on Noxon Reservoir

Aug. 7- 8                     EMBA Invitational on Noxon Reservoir

Aug. 7-8                      12th Annual Great Montana "Mac Attack" on Flathead Lake

Aug. 27-29                  Whitefish Jigfest on Flathead Lake

Aug. 27-29                  Montana BASS Federation Qualifier on Noxon Reservoir

Sept. 25                       McGregor Mac Mania on McGregor Lake

Oct. 1 – Nov. 14        Fall Mack Days on Flathead Lake

Oct. 2-3                       1st Annual Fall Rainbow Derby on Lake Koocanusa

Oct. 10-Nov. 27        Snappy's Whitfish Fall Classic on all of Region 1 Waterbodies

FWP Region 2

June 12-13                   Mister Pike Classic on Seeley Lake and Salmon Lake

FWP Region 3

June 13                        Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby on Sacajawea Park Lagoon

June 24                        Three Forks Carp Tournament on Three Forks Pond

FWP Region 4

May 21-23                   Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby on Missouri River &

Marias River           

June 12                        Canyon Ferry Carp Safari on Canyon Ferry Reservoir         

June 12-13                   Tiber Walleye Tournament on Tiber Reservoir

June 20                        Father's Day Fish Derby on Newlan Creek Reservoir         

June 26-27                   Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival on Canyon Ferry Reservoir         

July 17                         Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby on Canyon Ferry Reservoir           

Aug. 7                          Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Tournament on Canyon Ferry Reservoir         

Aug. 7                          John Arnold Fish Derby on Hauser Lake    

Aug. 14                        MRF Carp Rodeo on the Missouri River   

FWP Region 5

May 8                          Yellowstone Challenge on Yellowstone River

May 8-9                       Montana TBF Invitational on Bighorn Reservoir

June 2-4                       Northwestern TBF Divisional on Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir

June 26                        Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yellowstone County Fishing Derby on Lake

Elmo

June 26-27                   Western ABA Invitational on Yellowtail Afterbay Reservoir

July 10-11                    EMBA Invitational on Bighorn Reservoir

Aug. 21-22                  Billings Yellowtail Fall Finale on Bighorn Lake - Yellowtail Dam

Oct. 2-3                       Mid-Yellowstone Smallmouth Bash on the Yellowstone River

FWP Region 6

April 17                        Tough Guy Walleye Tournamant on Fort Peck Reservoir         

May 22-23                   Fresno Challenge on Fresno Reservoir         

June 5                          11th Annual Milk River Catfish Classic on the Milk River       

June 5-6                       Montana BASS Federation Qualifier on Fort Peck Reservoir         

June 5-6                       Rock Creek Walleyes Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

June 12                        Fishin for the Cure on Fort Peck Reservoir         

June 26-27                   10th Annual Pikemasters Public Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

July 8-10                      23rd Annual Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck

Reservoir           

July 17                         Women's Hell Creek Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

July 24-25                    Jordan Hell Creek Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

Aug. 7                          Walleyes Unlimited Women’s Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

Aug. 7-8                      Fall Classic Walleye Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

Aug. 21                        Salmon/Lake Trout Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir         

FWP Region 7

Apr. 24-25                   Western ABA Invitational on Tongue River Reservoir

June 12                        Savage Fire Dept. Cat Fishing Tournament on Yellowstone River

June 12-13                   Powder River Cat Fish Fest on the Powder River

July 17                         North Eastern Montana Monster Cat Roundup on Yellowstone River