Public Comment Sought on Montana Ice Fishing Derbies

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on ice fishing contests proposed for the 2012-13 winter season.

Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits. Most contests require catch-and-release fishing and participants may not keep any fish.

Applications for contests may be approved, denied, or approved with conditions. Conditions placed on contests are often aimed at minimizing fish mortality, regulating harvest, avoiding user conflicts, or requiring additional access site maintenance.

Send comments by Aug. 29 to FWP-Fisheries Bureau, Attn: Public Comment on Fishing Derbies, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; or email to begiddings@mt.gov. For more information call 406-444-2449 or email to begiddings@mt.gov.

Here are the proposed ice-fishing derbies:

Northwestern Montana-FWP Region 1
Dec. 15 The Perch Assault on Smith Lake
Dec. 29 Sunriser Lions Smith Lake Fish Derby on Smith Lake
Jan. 12, 2013 The Perch Assault on Middle Thompson Lake
Jan. 26-27, 2013 Fisher River Valley Winter Fishing Derby on Upper, Middle,

Lower Thompson, Crystal & Loon Lakes
Feb. 1-23, 2013 10th Annual Perch Pounder on all Region One Waters
Feb. 9-10, 2013 The Lodge at McGregor Lake Annual Fishing Derby
Feb. 16, 2013 Snappy Sport Senter 13th Annual Lake Mary Ronan Derby
Feb. 16, 2013 Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Murphy Lake
Feb. 23, 2013 Canyon Kids Christmas Fund Fishing Derby on Lion Lake
March 9, 2013 The Perch Assault on Lake Mary Ronan

South Central Montana-FWP Region 3
Jan. 26, 2013 Stan Shafer Memorial on Clark Canyon Reservoir
Feb. 3, 2013 Hebgen Lake NAIFC Qualifier on Lake Hebgen

North Central Montana-FWP Region 4
Jan. 12-13, 2013 Central Montana Perch Derby on East Fork Reservoir
Jan. 26-27, 2013 Broadwater Lions Perch Derby on Canyon Ferry Reservoir
Jan. 26, 2013 Western Bar Ice Fishing Derby on Willow Creek Reservoir
Feb. 9, 2013 Perch Assault on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Northeastern Montana,--FWP Region 6
Jan. 5, 2013 6th Annual Clinton Phipps Memorial on Fort Peck Reservoir
Jan. 20, 2013 Crooked Creek Ice Derby on Fort Peck Reservoir
Jan. 26, 2013 Murph's 7th Annual Memorial Tournament on Nelson Reservoir
Jan. 26-27, 2013 2nd Annual Fresno Ice Derby on Fresno Reservoir
Feb. 2, 2013 Hell Creek Ice Fishing Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir
Feb. 16, 2013 17th Annual Ice Fishing Derby on the Dredge Cut Trout Pond