HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on the following proposal and environmental assessments (EAs). For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the link provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
A private pond owner is proposing to stock largemouth bass in their private pond on Reservoir Road in Whitefish, MT. The pond is currently permitted to stock westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.
Comment deadline: Nov. 19
Read the Voss Largemouth Bass Private Pond Application
Balsam Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License to stock rainbow trout in a 0.2-acre unnamed private pond at 7980 Balsam Drive, south of Bozeman in the Hyalite Ranch subdivision about 1 mile east of Hyalite Creek. Hyalite Creek is a tributary to the East Gallatin River. Hyalite Creek and the East Gallatin River contain brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed from a groundwater well at the site and has a legal water right with a fishery purpose. The pond was excavated and surrounded by a low earthen berm. There is no typical outlet for this pond. In the event that the pond is overfilled, it will spill out onto an open field with little chance of reaching state waters. Rainbow trout are not native to the Hyalite Creek or the East Gallatin River but were legally stocked. Rainbow trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
Comment deadline: Nov. 21
Read the Balsam Private Pond License Review
Upper Beaver Lake Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed natural private pond at 1597 Upper Beaver Creek Road south of Big Sky and about 150 yards east of Beaver Creek. The pond is 0.3 surface acre. Beaver Creek is a tributary to the Gallatin River. Beaver Creek and the Gallatin River contain brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed from a natural upper pond through a vegetated outlet channel and has a legal water right with a fishery purpose. The pond is natural and has a legal water right with a fishery purpose. The discharge of the pond is directed toward another lower natural pond by means of a vegetated channel. Rainbow trout are not native to Beaver Creek or the Gallatin River but were legally stocked. Rainbow trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
Comment deadline: Nov. 21
Read Upper Beaver Lake Private Pond License Review
Lower Beaver Lake Private Pond License Review
A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed natural private pond at 1597 Upper Beaver Creek Road, south of Big Sky and about 150 yards east of Beaver Creek. The pond is 0.8 surface acre. Beaver Creek is a tributary to the Gallatin River. Beaver Creek and the Gallatin River contain brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed from a natural upper pond through a vegetated outlet channel and has a legal water right with a fishery purpose. The outlet of this pond quickly goes subterranean. Rainbow trout are not native to Beaver Creek or the Gallatin River but were legally stocked. Rainbow trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
Comment deadline: Nov. 24
Read Lower Beaver Lake Private Pond License Review
December 10 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda topics
The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Nov. 11 at noon.
Fisheries Division
- Sacajawea Lagoon Bass Removal Project
- 2027-2028 Commercial Seine License Approved Waterbody List
Wildlife
- 2027-2028 Flathead Indian Reservation Nonmember Fishing & Bird Hunting Regulations
- Defining Management Subunits for use during Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreaks Administrative Rulemaking Petition - Brazilian Smooth Snake, Hydrodynastes Gigas
- Amendments to Permits, Quotas, Quota Ranges, Season Length, and open areas for Deer, Elk, and Turkey for the 2027 Seasons
Land & Water Unit
- Upper Thompson Conservation Easement - Phase 2, Region 1
- Johnson Reservoir FAS Land Use License
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.
Public comment opportunity will be offered during the meeting. In-person comments can be made at the meeting venue or at any FWP regional office throughout the state.
Comments can also be made during the meeting virtually via Zoom. If you wish to comment via Zoom, you MUST register. Registration opens Nov. 25 and closes at noon on Dec. 9.