BILLINGS – In March, Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Vern Gagnon to the Region 5 seat on the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission after Brian Cebull resigned from the position late last year. Gagnon serves as Dean of City College at Montana State University Billings. He holds a master's degree in education technology from MSU Billings and a bachelor's degree in automotive technology from Northern Montana College.
Gagnon has been a licensed fishing guide since 2000 and became a licensed fishing outfitter in 2017 with a focus on Fort Peck Reservoir and the Missouri River. He is the owner and founder of Reel Therapy Charter Fishing, a member of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and a member of Walleyes Unlimited, serving the roles of chapter president and tournament director.
The following is from a question-and-answer conversation with Gagnon:
What inspired you to become a Montana Fish and Wildlife Commissioner?
As a lifelong Montanan who enjoys the amazing outdoor recreation and resources available, I have always believed that enjoying the resource is both a privilege and a responsibility. I have seen how decisions about habitat, access and management directly impact not only our environment but, additionally, our communities and way of life. Serving as a commissioner felt like a natural extension of my commitment to helping ensure that others enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, fish and experience the outdoors for generations to come.
Can you share a personal experience with Montana's outdoors that shaped your passion for fish and wildlife conservation?
It would be impossible for me to select a single experience to define my passion for Montana and the need to ensure it is sustained for the future. Creating memories and fostering relationships with family and friends surrounded by the beauty and abundance of the Montana outdoors is a significant experience for me. Having the opportunity to share a fishing experience with my kids or spend time on a ridgetop with a friend provides the connection to body and soul that in not achievable otherwise. The vast opportunities in Montana provide a backdrop for anyone to "Get Lost" and in the process find themselves. When the stress of everyday life starts to weigh heavily on me, I seek the opportunity to be outdoors to find peace.
What unique skills or perspectives do you bring to the commission?
I bring a balanced perspective that values conservation, access and resource use. Whether through my personal and professional background, community involvement or time spent outdoors, I have learned how important it is to listen to diverse viewpoints from landowners, sportsmen and women, tribal communities and conservation groups. I focus on practical, science-backed decision making, while recognizing that the best solutions often come from collaboration and mutual respect.
What's your favorite Montana species to fish, hunt or observe, and why?
It is difficult to choose just one species, as I enjoy all that Montana has to offer. I love the challenge of pursuing the elusive walleye on Fort Peck Lake in the summer as much as I enjoy observing the elk herds at Slippery Ann wildlife viewing area in September. The raw beauty of Montana and the fish and wildlife in that natural environment creates a sense of solitude that I cannot find anywhere else.
How can the public best engage with you and the commission to share their concerns or ideas?
Knowing the wonderful level of passion and enthusiasm Montanans have regarding the resources of fish, wildlife and outdoor activities, it will be difficult to engage with everyone at the personal level I would like to. To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to communicate with me and receive a timely response, I would recommend contacting me at my email address commissionerregion5@mtfwp.org and provide as much information as possible for the best response. For individuals with concerns or comments regarding an action item to be considered by the commission, I encourage them to participate in the scheduled commission meetings and provide public comment on record. This is the best way to ensure their voice is heard.