Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is developing fishing regulations for the next to years and seeking public comment on the initial proposals.
The initial 64 proposals are online now and available for review and comment.
FWP is also looking for ideas for regulation changes that aren’t captured in these initial proposals.
To answer questions and get feedback on fishing regulations, FWP is hosting public meetings around the state, including in Great Falls at 6 p.m. April 4 at 4600 Giant Springs Road.
FWP will be collecting comments through April 26 and will host at least one virtual meeting during this comment period.
FWP staff will use the input to refine the regulation proposals that will go before the Fish and Wildlife Commission in October.
The fishing regulations proposals that will be considered by commission will be available for public comment in August, according to FWP and the commission will adopt, amend or reject the proposals at its October meeting.
Montana’s fishing regulations are split into three districts – west, central and east.
Each district has standard regulations. Many of the proposals remove exceptions to district standards that are no longer biologically relevant while others are intended to increase fishing opportunity, enhance conservation efforts for some species, reduce confusion or improve enforceability, according to FWP.
All regulation changes are based on criteria or objectives outlined in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.
Specific statewide proposals include improving definitions of different types of hooks and adjusting regulations for cleaning and transporting fish, according to FWP.
For the Central Fishing District, proposals include allowing spearing for northern pike on Hauser and Holter reservoirs, removing spearing for burbot at Tiber Reservoir and Lake Frances, removing exceptions for walleye in the Missouri River from Toston to Canyon Ferry and reducing walleye bag limits from Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam.
In the Western Fishing District, proposals include adjusting northern pike possession limits, adjusting bag limits on the Blackfoot River and many tributaries, implementing gear restrictions on the Kootenai River below Libby Dam, and removing a lake trout slot limit on Whitefish Lake.
For the Eastern Fishing District, proposals include clarification of paddlefish regulations because of the new fish bypass channel at Intake, the addition of a tag for paddlefish snagging opportunities in the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, regulations to conserve shortnose gar, and conservative crappie limits on Tongue River Reservoir.
Fishing regulations are now under a process like hunting regulations, going through a comprehensive public review every two years. Fishing regulations are printed during odd numbered years, according to FWP.