A recent news release by the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks a long list of 2017 fishing tournaments are up for public comment.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2017 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. Potential risks from aquatic invasive species will be considered and final decisions on permits may include additional conditions for AIS prevention.
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 |
