Region 1 commissioner proposes amendments to 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations 

HELENA – Commissioner Ian Wargo, who represents Region 1, offered four amendments to the proposed 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations. The regulations are on the agenda for the Oct. 14 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. The commission will meet virtually via Zoom starting at 8 a.m.   

The public process for items on the commission agenda begins with FWP proposals that are open for public comment approximately two months prior to a commission meeting. Commissioners can propose amendments to these proposals, which also go out for public comment. Additionally, commissioners may propose amendments during commission meetings. The commission accepts public comments during public meetings as well.   

The amendments proposed by Commissioner Wargo would change the proposed 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations as follows:  

Amendment 1 

Amend the Little Bitterroot Lake kokanee harvest limit as follows:  

• Retain the Western District standard daily and possession limit for kokanee salmon of 20 daily and 40 in possession  

Amendment 2  

Amend the Hungry Horse Reservoir Regulation as follows: 

• Dam to Crossover Boat Ramp Peters Creek Campground 

Amend the South Fork Flathead River Regulations as follows: 

• River including headwaters and tributaries from the confluence of Youngs and Danaher Creeks downstream to Crossover Boat Ramp Peters Creek Campground 

Add: Live/dead bait prohibited. 

Amend: Bull trout: No intentional angling for bull trout except catch-and-release from July 1 the third Saturday in May through July 31. A Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead bull trout catch card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout. See Bull trout (page 13) for application information. All bull trout must be released without delay. 

Amendment 3 

Amend the Flathead River Regulations as follows:  

• From the confluence of North and Middle Forks to the Mouth of Flathead Lake Church Slough 

• Hooks/lures must have single points, no double or treble hooks.  

• Open entire year.  

• Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.  

• Rainbow trout: 5 daily and in possession.  

• From Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May, maggots and lures only, no lures can be scented (infused, saturated, or applied).  

• From the Mouth of Church Slough to Flathead Lake  

• Hooks/lures must have single points, no double or treble hooks.  

• Open entire year.  

• Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.  

• Rainbow trout: 5 daily and in possession.  

• From Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May, maggots and lures only, no lures can be scented (infused, saturated, or applied). dead bait prohibited. 

Amendment 4 

Amend the Flathead Lake Regulations as follows:  

• Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout.  

• Lake trout: 100 daily and in possession 20 daily and 40 in possession, only 1 over 36 inches, and all fish 30 26 to 36 inches must be released.  

• Yellow perch: no limit, only 10 daily over 10 inches. No possession limit.  

• Northern pike: no limit. (Retain Western District Standard Limit)  

• Rainbow trout: no limit. (Retain Western District Standard Limit)  

• Smallmouth bass: no limit. (Retain Western District Standard Limit)  

• Kokanee Salmon: 5 daily and 10 in possession.  

• NOTE: A Flathead Indian Reservation Tribal Permit is required to fish on the southern portion of the lake. Check Tribal Fishing regulations for the south portion of the lake. 

To see the proposed amendments and to submit comments, click here. Comment deadline for these amendments is Oct. 9. Comments can also be made during the meeting virtually via Zoom. Registration for Zoom comments closes at noon on Oct. 13. Other commission amendments may be announced prior to the Oct. 14 meeting.  

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