Public Invited to Comment on Proposed MT FWP Fishing Regulations With Meetings in Bozeman and Butte This Week

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Region 3 will host two public meetings this week to give the public the opportunity to discuss proposed fishing regulation changes for March 2016 through February 2017. The meetings will take place in Butte and Bozeman. Information here:

Wedneday, Aug. 19: Butte – Butte Forest Service Office (1820 Meadowlark Lane), 6 - 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 20: Bozeman – Regional Headquarters (1400 S. 19th Ave.), 6 - 8 p.m.

While most current regulations would remain in effect, the proposed are largely aimed at making regulations easier to follow and increasing angling opportunities.

Specific to Region 3, the Fisheries Division has proposed the following changes among others:

• Allowing rivers and streams to remain open all year
• Allowing one cutthroat trout in the combined trout limit for rivers and streams
• Allowing one rainbow trout in the combined trout limit on the Jefferson River
• Allowing harvest of five cutthroat trout daily from Hyalite Creek below Hyalite Reservoir
• Simplifying Madison River regulations from Hebgen Dam to Ennis Reservoir

Statewide proposed changes are available for review and comment at fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/

Comments may also be mailed to Joel Tohtz, Fisheries Management Bureau Chief, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59601; or email to fwpfsh@mt.gov. Comments must be received by Sept. 12. The Fish & Wildlife Commission will take final action on the regulations in October.