Fisherman – Listen up – FWP is Seeking Your Comments

Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comments on issues that may result in changes to Montana's 2012-2015 fishing regulations.

Some of the issues for consideration that have statewide significance include adding restrictions on the collection and movement of live bait to prevent the spread of invasive species; adjusting regulations by species to allow one standard regulation and one exception for each fishing district; and allowing some harvest of cutthroat hybrids in locations where the hybrids are a threat to pure cutthroat populations.

In FWP Region 4, north central Montana, the issues include consider simplification and standardization of trout limits on the Missouri and Smith rivers; and consider the appropriateness of spearing whitefish on the Missouri River from Craig Bridge to Sheep Creek.

A brochure describing these and other issues is available on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, at fishing license providers and at most FWP offices. FWP also welcomes other ideas for consideration.

April 22 is the deadline to comment at fwp.mt.gov. Click on the Fishing page. Or mail comments to: FWP Fisheries Bureau, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.

FWP will use the public comments as it puts together regulation changes to propose to the FWP Commission this August, followed by another public comment period.