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.
W7 Ranch lower pond Private Pond License review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout in a private pond. The pond is 1.81 surface acres, located off Pray Road in Park County. The pond is east of Emigrant near Mill Creek, a tributary to the Yellowstone River. Brown trout, rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish are in lower Mill Creek and the Yellowstone River. The pond is connected by a small overflow channel to the upper pond, which serves as the water source. The outlet of the pond is screened with an Agri Drain type outlet to prevent escapement. Outlet water drains into a small ditch on the ranch.
Comment deadline: Aug. 20
W7 Ranch upper pond Private Pond License review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout in a private pond. The pond is 1.2-surface acres, located off Pray Road in Park County. The pond is east of Emigrant near Mill Creek, a tributary to the Yellowstone River. Brown trout, rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish are in lower Mill Creek and the Yellowstone River. The pond is connected to another pond downstream by a small overflow channel. The lower pond is screened with an Agri Drain type outlet to prevent escapement. Outlet water drains into a small ditch on the ranch. The water source for the pond is the outflow from an upstream pond on the property that is also screened with an Agri Drain type system.
Comment deadline: Aug. 20
Corrected draft EA Hannah Ranch term conservation easement
FWP is proposing to purchase and manage a term conservation easement (CE) on 3,652 acres owned by Jamie and Lisa Gilbert south of Moore. As explained in the draft EA, the CE contains an additional component; an access easement from a parking area on the northeast corner of the property to the national forest boundary.
In its original draft EA, FWP failed to mention that this component of the CE would be permanent. This corrected draft EA is being released with an additional 10-day public comment period to make that correction. In addition, the original draft EA misreported the purchase price of the CE as $3,562,000. As reported in the attached corrected draft EA, the purchase price is $3,491,000.
Comment deadline: Aug. 21
Tongue River Reservoir wild fish transfer draft checklist EA
A draft checklist EA has been issued for the transfer of white crappie from Spotted Eagle Pond to Tongue River Reservoir. Tongue River Reservoir has historically provided a popular and unique fishing opportunity in southeast Montana. Since about 2018, crappie abundance has seen a sharp decline, and in 2024 gill nets did not catch a single black or white crappie in the August trend sample. White crappie were stocked in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Black crappie were stocked in 2024 and 2025. Surveys in 2024 and 2025 suggest these stocking efforts have not improved catch rates. FWP proposes to complete a wild fish transfer of 200-500 white crappie from Spotted Eagle Pond in October 2026 to augment the failing population. Recent surveys of Spotted Eagle show above average white crappie catch rates and make it a good candidate as a donor water for the proposed wild fish transfer.
Comment deadline: Aug. 25
Vande Sandt Private Pond License review
A private landowner is applying to renew a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to include rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill, crappie, fathead minnows, largemouth bass, yellow perch and channel catfish as permitted species on the license. FWP is required to review the potential impacts of issuing a Private Fish Pond License. The pond is constructed via an earthen dam and spillway on roundup coulee. Roundup coulee is a seasonal drainage, and the pond receives water via local runoff events. The project is sponsored by the landowner, and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2026). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year interval at the end of each term, and the license is transferable.
Comment deadline: Aug. 26
Draft management plans for Mount Silcox, Roundhorn, Full Curl and Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area WMAs
FWP is seeking comments on draft management plans for Mount Silcox, Roundhorn, Full Curl and Bighorn Sheep Viewing Area wildlife management areas. These draft management plans provide a description of the WMAs and lay out the goals and issues associated with how FWP manages them. The plans also provide information on potential future management actions that may occur on these WMAs, both for communication with interested publics and for guiding FWP staff. Some actions resulting from these new management plans may require additional analysis and public input, as required by the Montana Environmental Policy Act.
Comment deadline: Sept. 5
Statewide Fisheries Management Plan 2027-2030 EA
FWP is releasing the proposed 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan (SFMP) and associated EA for public review and comment. The plan identifies statewide fisheries-management goals, priorities and strategies intended to sustain and enhance Montana's fisheries and angling opportunities. The EA evaluates potential environmental effects of implementing the plan and considers alternatives.
Comment deadline: Sept. 14