Meetings Set on Proposed Fishing Bait Rules in Montana
OutdoorHub 05.23.12
Public comment is being sought on proposed rules on the possession, transportation, and seining of bait within two Eurasian water milfoil management areas recently proposed by the Montana Department of Agriculture.
Eurasian water milfoil is an aquatic invasive species that threatens rivers, lakes and irrigation infrastructure.
State law prohibits the possession and transportation of bait within an invasive species management area, unless approved by Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The proposed list of contaminated waters includes:
- Fort Peck Reservoir,
- For Peck Dredge Cut Ponds,
- Jefferson River,
- Missouri River from Fort Peck Dam to the North Dakota border, and the confluence of the three forks of the Missouri River to the headwaters of Canyon Ferry Reservoir, and Toston Reservoir.
The public may comment at a series of public meetings set to begin at 6 p.m. in:
Great Falls- May 24, FWP Region 4 office, 4600 Giant Springs Rd.
Helena- May 24, FWP Headquarters office, 1420 East 6th Ave.
Lewistown- May 29, FWP office, 215 West Aztec Dr.
Fort Peck- May 30, Fort Peck Fish Hatchery, 277 Highway 117.
Miles City- May 31, FWP Region 7 office, 352 I-94 Business Loop.
Billings- May 31, FWP Region 5 office, 2300 Lake Elmo Dr.
To review the proposed rules and comment online, go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov, and click Public Notices, or comment in writing to by the June 1 deadline to FWP at: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Eileen Ryce, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620-0701; or by fax: 406-444-4952; or email: fwpexotics@mt.gov. To learn more about aquatic invasive species, go to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and click on the Fishing page.
