The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission is seeking comment on proposed changes to 2013 fishing regulations.
The proposed changes to current regulations are listed below.
Western District
- Bitterroot River—extend a harvest section of the river downstream to the northern boundary of the Woodside Fishing Access Site.
- Clearwater River—change and standardize regulations to reflect the removal of a fish barrier downstream of Lake Inez.
Central District
- Changes in the Centennial Valley include:
- Elk Lake—allow catch-and-release angling only for Arctic grayling.
- Red Rock Creek and Widgeon Pond—expand cutthroat trout harvest opportunities.
- Upper Red Rock Creek—allow catch-and-release angling only for Arctic grayling and expand cutthroat trout harvest opportunities
- Yellowstone River—eliminate the exception that allows two lines with two hooks per line all year from the mouth of the Clarks Fork River to the I-90 Bridge at Billings.
Eastern District
- Fort Peck Reservation Tribal Boundary Water—change the catfish harvest in the regulations so it is consistent with Tribal and Montana fishing regulations.
The proposed changes are available for review and comment on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Fishing” and then look under “Opportunities for Public Comment“.
Comments may also be mailed to Fisheries Bureau, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59601. Comments may also be emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov.
Comments must be received by Sept. 5. The FWP Commission is scheduled to take final action on the fishing regulations in October.
