We are quickly approaching the (yellow tag) paddlefish season here in eastern Montana. Below you will find some helpful information to assist anglers in preparing for the season.
• Season Dates: May 15-June 30 (unless the season is closed early due to the 1,000 fish harvest target. If such closure takes place, a notice will go out and will be posted here.)
• Designated Catch & Release Days:
o Sunday, Monday, & Thursday – at Intake FAS ONLY!
o All other yellow tag areas are CLOSED to paddlefish angling on Catch & Release days.
• Designated Harvest Days:
o Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in all yellow tag areas.
• Harvest Cards: You should have received a harvest card when you purchased your paddlefish tag. These are not something that has to be turned in – it is simply meant to help you capture the data that you’ll be asked for when you report your harvested fish (see reporting option below).
• Mandatory Harvest Reporting: This must be done within 48 hours of harvesting a fish. Reporting options include:
o Onsite at the Intake FAS check station
o Remote self-reporting stations: Located at Sidney Bridge, Powder River Depot and the Tongue/Yellowstone River confluence near Miles City.
*These stations allow anglers to weigh harvested paddlefish and submit biological harvest data and jaw sections for aging.
o Phone hotline: 406-444-0356 or 1-877-FWP-WILD
• Paddlefish Cleaning Services: A cleaning service will be available at Intake FAS from May 15-June 15 on harvest days only.
Harvest updates: We will do our best to post periodic updates here, or you can call the Region 7 office during business hours at (406) 234-0900. Please note that we do not have real-time updates – this information comes from our (very busy) staff as they are able to get it to us, but is not always on a routine basis.
We look forward to having a fun and successful season! If at any time you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Region 7 office!
