Fishing Contest Rules Adopted

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New fishing contest rules adopted by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission will go into effect April 12. Under the new rules, fishing contests with fewer than 30 people and cash prizes or merchandise worth $500 or less do not require a permit from FWP. These contests must meet all other fishing contest rules.

Applications for open water fishing contests must be in to FWP between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1. Applications will be processed and a decision made no later than Feb. 1. Applications for ice-fishing contests must be in to FWP between May 1 and July 1 and a decision will be made no later than Oct. 1. Applications for benefit fundraising contests may be accepted after the deadline.

The new rules say contests cannot be scheduled for consecutive weekends except on Fort Peck Reservoir and Flathead Lake. Contests also may not be held on holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day.

Rules on the species of fish that may be targeted by a contest protect all Montana species of special concern except cutthroat trout stocked by FWP in lakes or reservoirs. Contests may not target wild trout, that is self-sustaining populations of trout, in streams or rivers and all fish must be released in catch and release contests except those that die unintentionally from handling during the contest.

The new rules will be available soon on FWP’s web site under Public Notices or under Fishing Hot Topics, or may be obtained by calling FWP at 406-444-2449.