blake
Life Member
News:
Montana Paddlefish Regulations For 2009
May 3rd, 2009
With paddlefish reproduction down following several seasons of drought and low water flows, anglers will see more conservative paddlefish regulations this year, along with a continuation of hook-size and color-coded tag requirements.
Here is a summary of the 2009 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks paddlefish regulations.
Upper Missouri River The paddlefish-harvest season opened May 1. On the upper Missouri River, between Fort Benton and Fort Peck Dam, the harvest target is set at 500 fish.
The harvest season can be closed on 24-hour’s notice. Once the harvest target is reached, catch-and-release fishing continues until June 15.
Anglers must call the FWP Glasgow office at 406-228-3700 to check the harvest status. Daytime fishing hours, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., remain in place. There is no nightime snagging for paddlefish.
Yellowstone River and Missouri River Below Fort Peck Dam Paddlefishing on the Yellowstone River, and the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, begins May 15. The harvest quota is 1,000 paddlefish.
Paddlefish may be harvested only on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until the harvest quota is reached. When officials estimate that the harvest quota is reached, FWP may close the harvest season immediately at the Intake Fishing Access Site and within 24 hours elsewhere.
Catch-and-release paddlefishing is only allowed at Intake Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River and is limited to Sunday, Monday and Thursday.
Catch-and-release paddlefishing at Intake Fishing Access Site will either remain in effect for 10 days immediately following a harvest closure, or until June 30, the end of the regular season, whichever occurs first.
Check the 2009 fishing regulations for important details on paddlefishing at Intake Fishing Access Site.
Color-coded Tags The appropriate color-coded tag is required to fish for paddlefish in Montana. A different tag is required for each river section. Anglers must choose only one stretch of river to fish.
The color coding on paddlefish tags is:
* yellow for the Yellowstone River and lower Missouri River,
* white for the upper Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam,
* and blue for the dredge cuts below Fort Peck Dam for archery paddlefishing.
Hook-Size Requirement Paddlefish regulations for the 2009 season include a 8/0 or smaller hook-size for all river stretches open to spring paddlefishing.
Missouri River dredge cuts Below Fort Peck Dam The paddlefish-harvest season is open for bow-and-arrow anglers July 1-Aug. 31. A blue paddlefish tag is required. Snagging is prohibited.
All anglers are urged to consider Montana’s paddlefishing regulations carefully. For more information, visit FWP’s Web site at fwp.mt.gov. Click ” ’09 Fishing Regs ,” where a special 2009 paddlefish regulation pamphlet can be found. The phamphlet is also available at FWP offices and from most license providers.