FWP is looking for public comment on open water fishing contests that have been proposed for the 2017 open water fishing season. Comments will be taken into account when placing conditions on specific fishing tournaments. Conditions for fishing tournaments help minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts or ad additional site maintenance when needed. Risk from aquatic invasive species will be considered when deciding on final permits.
Information on the proposed fishing contests can be found on the FWP Fishing Contest webpage, http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/whereToFish/contests/, or by calling 406-444-2449. All comments must be received on or before Jan. 9.
Comments may be mailed to FWP Fisheries Division, Attn: Fishing Contests, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or emailed to
fwpfsh@mt.gov.
Proposed 2017 Open Water Fishing Contests
Northwest Montana, Region 1
Mar 17 – May 14 Spring Mack Days – Flathead Lake
April 22 Snappys Big Bass Bash / NBAA – Echo, Abbot, and Peterson Lakes
April 23 FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series – Lake Mary Ronan
May 6-7 BASS Nation Spring Buddy Tournament – Noxon Rapids Reservoir
May 13-14 Snappys Big Bash Bass / NBAA Series – Flathead River, Lake, Sloughs
May 20-21 FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series – Noxon Rapids Reservoir
May 20-21 Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby – Lake Koocanusa
June 3-4 MT State Team Qualifier – Noxon Reservoir
June 10 Wild West Panfish Trail – Flathead River & Sloughs
June 17-18 Kickin’ Horse Saloon & Eatery’s Father’s Day Fishing Derby – Thompson Chain of Lakes, Crystal & Loon Lakes
June 24-25 Bull Lake Pike Strike – Bull Lake
July 29-30 Tri-State Buddy Tournament / NBAA – Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Aug 5-6 Bull Lake Summer Derby – Bull Lake
Aug 5-6 FVBL/NBAA – Thompson Chain of Lakes- Middle & Lower
Aug 18-20 Montana BASS Nation State Championship – Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Aug 19 Montana BASS Nation State Championship – Cabinet Gorge Reservoir
Sept 9 Wild West Panfish Trail – Thompson Lake- Middle & Lower
Sept 9-10 TBF Semi-Final – Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Sept 22 – Nov 12 Fall Mack Days – Flathead Lake
Oct 7 Wild West Panfish Trail – Lake Mary Ronan
West Central Montana, Region 2
June 10-11 Mr. Pike Classic – Seeley, Salmon, & Inez Lakes
Southwest Montana, Region 3
June 10 Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby – Sacajawea Park Lagoon
June 17 Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby – Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond
North Central Montana, Region 4
May 19-21 Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby – Missouri, Marias, & Teton Rivers
May 20-21 Tiber Walleye Tournament – Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell
June 10 Canyon Ferry Carp Safari – Canyon Ferry Reservoir
June 18 Lions Club Father’s Day Fish Derby – Newlan Creek Reservoir
June 24-25 Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival – Canyon Ferry Reservoir
July 15 Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby – Canyon Ferry Reservoir
Aug 12 Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit – Canyon Ferry Reservoir
Aug 26 John Arnold Fish Derby – Hauser Reservoir
South Central Montana, Region 5
May 13 Annual Yellowstone Challenge – Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River)
June 3 Big Horn Cat Bash – Bighorn River (Mouth of Bighorn to first Diversion Dam)
June 3-4 TBF Qualifier – Yellowtail Reservoir
June 14 Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament – Bighorn Lake
June 24-25 NBAA Qualifier – Yellowtail Reservoir
Sept 9-10 Fall Cats Frenzy – Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam)
Northeast Montana, Region 6
April 22 Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)
May 6-7 The Crooked Creek Walleye Classic – Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek Bay)
May 13 Tom Cote Memorial-Masters Pike & Putts – Poplar River
May 20-21 NBAA Qualifier – Fort Peck Reservoir
June 3 Annual Milk River Catfish Classic – Milk River (Junebug Bridge to mouth of the Milk River)
June 3-4 Rock Creek Walleye Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir
June 10-11 Fresno Walleye Challenge – Fresno Reservoir
June 10-11 Pikemasters Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir (Big Dry Arm)
June 24 Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)
July 6-9 Annual MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir
July 22-23 Hell Creek Walleye Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir
July 29 Womens Walleye Tournament – Fort Peck Reservoir
Aug 12-13 TBF Championship (ND/MT) – Fort Peck Reservoir
Aug 19 Fishin’ For the Cure – Fort Peck Reservoir
Sept 23-24 NBAA MT State Championship – Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)
Northeast Montana, Region 7
April 29 Miles City Spring Cat Slam – Yellowstone River
June 10 Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament – Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge)
July 1 Hysham Cat Havoc – Yellowstone River
July 15 Monster Catfish Roundup – Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line)
Sept 16 Yellowstone River Classic – Yellowstone River
Oct 14 Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest – Yellowstone River and tributaries
