Landowners looking to build a private pond or renew their pond license will see an increase in fees after new legislation was signed by Gov. Greg Gianforte.??

House Bill 74, raises the cost of the application fee from $10 to $600, the renewal fee from $10 to $250 and requires a transfer fee of $250. ?

The new licenses are good for 10 years, and the term of the license remains if the license is transferred. For instance, if someone is three years into a license cycle and decides to transfer it, the new owner would have seven years remaining on the license.??

Since 1945, when FWP started administering private pond licenses, the application fee has been $10. This fee didn’t cover the costs incurred by FWP for environmental assessments and program administration. The new fees will partially offset these expenses, which average $1,700 per license over a 10-year period. ?

The new law also affects people who sell fish, eggs or fry. People selling these items must be licensed by FWP and, with the new law,?are now required to provide a $2,500 corporate surety bond, maintain detailed records of species and quantities sold or purchased and submit an annual report with a $250 renewal fee to FWP by Jan. 31.?

HB 74 was the result of recommendations from an interim legislative study committee, which looked to cover the costs that FWP incurs to inspect the ponds and remove fish in the case of an illegal introduction.