Public comment sought for open water fishing contests
By Moosetrack Megan

Posted: December 11, 2017

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2018 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.

Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.

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. 11.

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 2018 Open Water Fishing Contests

Northwest Montana, Region 1

Mar 10-11 Tobacco Valley Rod and Gun Club Rainbow Derby Lake Koocanusa
Mar 16 – May 12 Spring Mack Days Flathead Lake
April 22 FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series Lake Mary Ronan
May 5-6 BASS Nation Team Open Noxon Rapids Reservoir
May 12-13 Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Series Flathead River & Sloughs
May 19-20 Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby Lake Koocanusa
May 19-20 FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series Noxon Rapids Reservoir
June 8-10 Montana BASS Nation State Championship Noxon Rapids Reservoir
June 9 Wild West Panfish Trail Flathead River & Sloughs
June 23-24 Bull Lake Pike Strike Bull Lake
July 28-29 Tri-State Buddy Tournament/NBAA Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Aug 4-5 FVBL/NBAA Thompson Lakes – Middle & Lower
Aug 18-19 MT TBF State Team Qualifier Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Sept 8-9 Wild West Panfish Trail Thompson Lake-Middle & Lower
Sept 9-10 TBF Semi-Final Noxon Rapids Reservoir
Sept 21 – Nov 1 Fall Mack Days Flathead Lake
Sept 22 Bull Lake Pike and Bass Tournament Bull Lake
Sept 29 Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Echo, Abbot, & Peterson Lakes
Oct 6 Wild West Panfish Trail Lake Mary Ronan

West Central Montana, Region 2

June 9-10 Mr. Pike Classic Seeley & Salmon Lakes

Southwest Montana, Region 3

June 9 Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby Sacajawea Park Lagoon
June 16 Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond

North Central Montana, Region 4

May 18-20 Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby Missouri, Marias, & Teton Rivers
June 9 Canyon Ferry Carp Safari Canyon Ferry Reservoir
June 17 Lions Club Father’s Day Fish Derby Newlan Creek Reservoir
June 23-24 Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Canyon Ferry Reservoir
June 23-24 Tiber Walleye Tournament Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell
July 14 Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby Canyon Ferry Reservoir
July 14 Fishin for Fun (Family Fun Days) Women’s Tournament Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell
Aug 11 Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit Canyon Ferry Reservoir
Aug 25 John Arnold Fish Derby Hauser Reservoir

South Central Montana, Region 5

April 28 Worden Cat Slam Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam)
May 12 Annual Yellowstone Challenge Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River)
June 9-10 NBAA Qualifier Yellowtail Reservoir
July 22 Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament Bighorn Lake

Northeast Montana, Region 6

Apr 21 Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)
May 5-6 Crooked Creek Walleye Classic Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek Bay)
May 19-20 Fresno Walleye Challenge Fresno Reservoir
June 2 Annual Milk River Catfish Classic Milk River (Junebug Bridge to mouth of the Milk River)
June 2-3 Rock Creek Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir
June 9-10 Pikemasters Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Big Dry Arm)
June 23 Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)
July 12-15 Annual MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir
July 21 Women’s Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir
July 28-29 Hell Creek Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir
Aug 18 Fishin’ For the Cure Fort Peck Reservoir
Aug 18-19 NBAA Qualifier Fort Peck Reservoir
Aug 19-20 TBF Championship (ND/MT) Fort Peck Reservoir
Sept 22-23 NBAA MT State Championship Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

Northeast Montana, Region 7

May 19 Hysham Cat Havoc Yellowstone River (Hysham Dam to Reservation Creek Road)
May 19 Glendive Catfish Tourney Yellowstone River and tributaries
June 9 Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge)
July 21 Monster Catfish Roundup Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line)
July 28 Forsyth Cat Bash Yellowstone River (Forsyth Dam to Rosebud County Line)
Sept 8-9 Miles City Spring Cat Frenzy (State Championship) Yellowstone River (Rosebud County Line to Kinsey Bridge)
Sept 22 Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest Yellowstone River and tributaries
Sept 22 Yellowstone River Classic Yellowstone River

 

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