Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Montana: Public comment sought for open water fishing contests proposed for open water 2018

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2018 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.

Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.

Information on the proposed fishing contests can be found on the FWP Fishing Contest webpage, http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/whereToFish/contests/, or by calling 406-444-2449. All comments must be received on or before Jan. 12.

Comments may be mailed to FWP Fisheries Division, Attn: Fishing Contests, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov.

Proposed 2018 Open Water Fishing Contests



Northwest Montana, Region 1

Mar 10-11
Tobacco Valley Rod and Gun Club Rainbow Derby
Lake Koocanusa

Mar 16 - May 12
Spring Mack Days
Flathead Lake

April 22
FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series
Lake Mary Ronan

May 5-6
BASS Nation Team Open
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

May 12-13
Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Series
Flathead River & Sloughs

May 19-20
Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby
Lake Koocanusa

May 19-20
FVBL/NBAA Tournament Series
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

June 8-10
Montana BASS Nation State Championship
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

June 9
Wild West Panfish Trail
Flathead River & Sloughs

June 23-24
Bull Lake Pike Strike
Bull Lake

July 28-29
Tri-State Buddy Tournament/NBAA
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Aug 4-5
FVBL/NBAA
Thompson Lakes - Middle & Lower

Aug 18-19
MT TBF State Team Qualifier
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Sept 8-9
Wild West Panfish Trail
Thompson Lake-Middle & Lower

Sept 9-10
TBF Semi-Final
Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Sept 21 - Nov 1
Fall Mack Days
Flathead Lake

Sept 22
Bull Lake Pike and Bass Tournament
Bull Lake

Sept 29
Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF
Echo, Abbot, & Peterson Lakes

Oct 6
Wild West Panfish Trail
Lake Mary Ronan


West Central Montana, Region 2

June 9-10
Mr. Pike Classic
Seeley & Salmon Lakes


Southwest Montana, Region 3

June 9
Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby
Sacajawea Park Lagoon

June 16
Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby
Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond


North Central Montana, Region 4

May 18-20
Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby
Missouri, Marias, & Teton Rivers

June 9
Canyon Ferry Carp Safari
Canyon Ferry Reservoir

June 17
Lions Club Father's Day Fish Derby
Newlan Creek Reservoir

June 23-24
Canyon Ferry Walleye Festiva
Canyon Ferry Reservoir

June 23-24
Tiber Walleye Tournament
Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell

July 14
Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby
Canyon Ferry Reservoir

July 14
Fishin for Fun (Family Fun Days) Women's Tournament
Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell

Aug 11
Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit
Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Aug 25
John Arnold Fish Derby
Hauser Reservoir


South Central Montana, Region 5

April 28
Worden Cat Slam
Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam)

May 12
Annual Yellowstone Challenge
Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River)

June 9-10
NBAA Qualifier
Yellowtail Reservoir

July 22
Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament
Bighorn Lake


Northeast Montana, Region 6

Apr 21
Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

May 5-6
Crooked Creek Walleye Classic
Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek Bay)

May 19-20
Fresno Walleye Challenge
Fresno Reservoir

June 2
Annual Milk River Catfish Classic
Milk River (Junebug Bridge to mouth of the Milk River)

June 2-3
Rock Creek Walleye Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir

June 9-10
Pikemasters Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir (Big Dry Arm)

June 23
Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

July 12-15
Annual MT Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir

July 21
Women's Walleye Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir

July 28-29
Hell Creek Walleye Tournament
Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 18
Fishin' For the Cure
Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 18-19
NBAA Qualifier
Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 19-20
TBF Championship (ND/MT)
Fort Peck Reservoir

Sept 22-23
NBAA MT State Championship
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)


Northeast Montana, Region 7

May 19
Hysham Cat Havoc
Yellowstone River (Hysham Dam to Reservation Creek Road)

May 19
Glendive Catfish Tourney
Yellowstone River and tributaries

June 9
Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament
Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge)

July 21
Monster Catfish Roundup
Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line)

July 28
Forsyth Cat Bash
Yellowstone River (Forsyth Dam to Rosebud County Line)

Sept 8-9
Miles City Spring Cat Frenzy (State Championship)
Yellowstone River (Rosebud County Line to Kinsey Bridge)

Sept 22
Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest
Yellowstone River and tributaries

Sept 22
Yellowstone River Classic
Yellowstone River


Joleen Tadej
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Communication & Education Division
406-444-4041