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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following proposals and environmental assessments (EA). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
2025 Trail Stewardship Program grant awards
FWP is seeking public comment on the proposed awards for the 2025 Trail Stewardship Program grant cycle. This year, the program is recommending $2,000,000 in grant funds to 44 projects around the state. A list of the proposed grant recipients is available at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship.
Comment Deadline: May 27
FWP Central Services Facilities Upgrades
FWP owns and manages approximately 11.93 acres at 930 West Custer Avenue in Helena. The facility accommodates a combination of administrative and public service functions, including the Helena Area Resource Office (HARO), Montana Outdoors Magazine staff, FWP fleet management, procurement, and warehouse space for shipping, receiving and storage. Other facility uses include aquatic invasive species equipment management and Helena area parks and outdoor recreation maintenance shops. FWP conducts facility condition assessments of department owned administrative facilities on a two-year cycle. Assessments have identified significant deferred maintenance recommendations for aging structures at this facility. Funding has been appropriated, and authority granted by the 68th Montana Legislature, to begin to address needed improvements at this facility. The proposed project will, as current and future funding allow, remove and replace existing buildings at the Custer Avenue facility and HARO with new, more efficient buildings and site improvements. Improvements will consolidate office, public information, retail sales, maintenance shop and warehouse facilities.
Comment deadline: May 30
A private landowner is proposing to stock a private pond on their property on near Whitefish. The landowner is seeking a permit to stock rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout and largemouth bass into their private pond.
Comment Deadline: June 3
Tiger trout introduction to Corner Lake
FWP is proposing to introduce tiger trout from a state hatchery operated by FWP into Corner Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid cross between a brook trout and brown trout. They can provide excellent sportfishing opportunities as they are aggressive and can grow to large size. Tiger trout are not native to the drainage and have not been present historically.
Comment Deadline: June 5
Tiger trout introduction to Companion Lake
FWP is proposing to introduce tiger trout from a state hatchery operated by FWP into Companion Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid cross between a brook trout and brown trout. They can provide excellent sportfishing opportunities as they are aggressive and can grow to large size. Tiger trout are not native to the drainage and have not been present historically.
Comment Deadline: June 5
Tiger trout introduction to Crater Lake
FWP is proposing to introduce tiger trout from a state hatchery operated by FWP into Crater Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid cross between a brook trout and brown trout. They can provide excellent sportfishing opportunities as they are aggressive and can grow to large size. Tiger trout are not native to the drainage and have not been present historically.
Comment Deadline: June 5
2025 Draft Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
FWP has prepared this draft EA in accordance with the requirements of the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). The purpose of an EA is to identify, analyze, and disclose the impacts of a proposed state action. This document may disclose impacts that have no required mitigation measures, or over which FWP, more broadly, has no regulatory authority.
Comment Deadline: June 8
FWP is seeking public comment on proposed 2025 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant proposals. The OHV program received 12 grant requests and proposes to award $500,000. The program receives funding through OHV/motorbike registrations, gas tax and the Summer Motorized Trail Pass revenues. Montana’s OHV Program supports projects such as trail maintenance, signs, trail stewards, ethics education, noxious weed control, safety and mapping efforts. Grant awards are allocated by FWP with recommendations from the citizen-based Off-Highway Vehicle Advisory Committee (OHVAC).
Comment deadline: June 10
Community Shooting Range grant proposals
FWP is seeking public comment on proposed FY2026 Community Shooting Range grant proposals. The Shooting Range program received 16 grant requests and proposes to award $400,000. The program receives funding through state license dollar revenues. Montana’s Community Shooting Range Development Program supports projects such as range development, ADA enhancements, new equipment, signs and noxious weed control efforts.
Comment deadline: June 10
Lepley Creek Livestock Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout, brown trout, westslope cutthroat trout and brook trout in an unnamed private pond on North Branch Knapp Creek. The pond is 0.31 surface acre and is located near Cascade.
Comment Deadline: June 10
Hodge Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is on an intermittent spring drainage approximately 200-feet from the spring source. The pond was previously permitted for fish stocking, but the license has expired.
Comment Deadline: June 10
A private landowner is applying for a Private Pond License and proposes to stock trout in a private pond. The pond is roughly 0.45 surface acre and is located near Helena.
Comment Deadline: June 10
Pospisil Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to include brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout as permitted species on the license. The pond is on an intermittent drainage. The pond was previously permitted for fish stocking, but the license has expired.
Comment Deadline: June 10
Miller Colony Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout, brown trout and westslope cutthroat trout in a private pond. The pond is roughly 4 surface acres and is located near Choteau.
Comment Deadline: June 10
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration in Trapper and Rock Creeks, Big Hole River Drainage
FWP proposes to restore native westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) in Trapper and Rock (near Wisdom) creeks in the Big Hole River drainage. Competition and predation by brook trout have significantly reduced WCT distribution in both streams. Fish barriers (small wooden waterfalls) have been or will be constructed in both Trapper and Rock creeks.
Comment Deadline: June 23
Draft Montana Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
FWP has prepared this draft 2026–2030 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for public review and comment. The SCORP identifies outdoor recreation priorities and strategies for the next five years, providing a framework to guide decision-making and investments across Montana.
Comment Deadline: June 26
Within-Range Translocation of Bighorn Sheep in Madison Mountain Range, Southwest Montana, Phase 2
The proposed project would be to translocate, over the course of 10 years, 50 to 100 bighorn sheep from existing herds within the Madison Mountain Range to a historic but unoccupied winter range in the center of the Madison Mountain Range at Bear Creek WMA. The timeline of the proposed project would extend from 2025-2035 due to the need to draw bighorn sheep from the source herd, monitor its numeric recovery and repeat as necessary until the new herd is established.
Comment Deadline: June 26