Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following environmental assessments (EA) and proposals. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
General Custer Fishing Access Site repairs draft EA
FWP is proposing a project to repair the boat ramp, stabilize the streambank and realign the road at General Custer Fishing Access Site 13 miles north of Hardin in Big Horn County on the Bighorn River.
Comment deadline: July 6
Hamm Road Private Pond License review checklist EA
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.17 surface acres and located on Hamm Road near Belgrade, which is about 3 miles east of the East Gallatin River. The East Gallatin River and Ross Creek contain brown trout and rainbow trout.
Comment deadline: July 7
Teardrop Private Pond License review checklist EA
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock Rainbow trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 0.5 surface acre and is northwest of Belgrade about 1 mile east of the Gallatin River and about 400 yards from Bull Run Creek. Bull Run Creek is a tributary to the East Gallatin River. Bull Run Creek, the Gallatin River and the East Gallatin River all contain brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
Comment deadline: July 7
North Bridger Ranch Pond License review checklist EA
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock Yellowstone cutthroat trout in an unnamed, 0.58-surface acre private pond. The pond is on the east side of the Bridger Mountains, near Cache Creek Road, northeast of Bozeman. The pond is about 100 yards south of Cache Creek and 0.4 mile north of North Fork Brackett Creek. Yellowstone cutthroat trout are native to the basin.
Comment deadline: July 7
Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site Bridge Replacement draft EA
Boulder River Ranch, LLC is proposing a project to build a temporary road and bridge at locations inside Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site (FAS) to remove and replace an existing bridge access over the Boulder River. Ranch access is through a legal easement with FWP to the private bridge, portions of the proposed work will occur outside of the easement and in the FAS. The fishing access site was acquired by FWP in 1976. The FAS is about 71 acres and consists of improved infrastructure including a vault latrine, gravel roads with parking areas, a campground, fencing, a cast concrete boat ramp and signage.
Comment deadline: July 21
Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration in Harley Creek draft EA
FWP proposes to conserve westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus lewisi (WCT) in Harley Creek by constructing a fish barrier that will isolate 5.5 miles of habitat from downstream non-native fish populations, removing non-native fish upstream of the constructed barrier and expanding the nonhybridized WCT population in the tributary Graveyard Gulch to the restored habitat. FWP is considering the proposed action to prevent the loss of a unique genetic lineage of WCT native to north central Montana, expand the current range and add stream mileage to the WCT conservation goals for the Belt Creek drainage, and reduce the likelihood of listing WCT under the Endangered Species Act).
Comment deadline: July 22
Roosters for Recruitment pheasant releases draft programmatic EA
FWP has administered a pheasant release program since 1987, whereby pen-raised pheasants are released on private lands for population augmentation and increased hunting opportunity. In March of 2021, a new pheasant release program was established to support recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts in Montana, which aims to engage youth in the sport of hunting, promote hunter success, and provide additional hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages. This EA only will consider releases in suitable habitat on certain state, federal and private lands. The most desirable sites would be those fairly close to accessible roads and population centers in order to maximize access for hunters. Pheasant releases would occur a few days prior to the youth pheasant opener, which is generally the third or fourth weekend in September. Releases may continue throughout October and into November.
Comment deadline: July 29
August 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda items
Agenda items for the Aug. 19 commission meeting are now open for public comment. These include:
- Selection of Organizations to Auction Licenses
- Future Fisheries Improvement Program - Summer 2026 Cycle
- Upper Missouri CAC - Member Appointment
- Northshore WMA Agricultural Lease Extension
- 2026 Nongame Workplan
- 2026 Furbearer/Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons, Quotas, and Regulations
- Temporary Closure - Kohrs Bend Fishing Access Site (FAS)
- Stimson Timberland Legacy Conservation Easement
- Roosters for Recruitment Pheasant Releases
More information about these agenda items and comment deadlines is available on the commission meeting webpage. Commissioners can submit amendments to any of FWP's proposals. Those amendments will be posted to the webpage as needed and will be open for public comment.