FWP seeks input on fishing regulations

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public input on fishing regulations that would impact fishing on Flathead Lake and Lake Mary Ronan.

The proposed fishing regulations changes are for March 2016 through February 2017. The next meeting is Sept. 3, from 5-7 p.m., at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks headquarters.

Here are some of proposed changes for the Western Fishing District:

•  Restrict terminal tackle to a single point barbless hook on westslope cutthroat trout streams where current regulations require catch and release and artificial lures only.

• Increase standard harvest limits for lake trout to 20 daily and 40 in possession.

• Reduce burbot (ling) daily limit from 5 to 2 daily and in possession

• Increase the length limit for cutthroat trout harvest from none over 10 inches to none over 12 inches.

• Limit brook trout harvest from two to one per day, 18-inch minimum length, for Georgetown Lake.

• Open Lake Mary Ronan to year-round fishing.

• Establish a bag limit for yellow perch over 10 inches in length to 10 per day on Flathead Lake, Lower Stillwater Lake and Smith Lake.

• Re-establish bull trout harvest on Lake Koocanusa.

The single point barbless hook proposal was recently added to the list of tentative regulations and was not identified at the initial scoping meetings. This additional restriction is proposed for eight streams in the Western District, including the North Fork of the Blackfoot River, Fish Creek, Rattlesnake Creek and a 10 mile section of the South Fork of the Flathead River. These proposed changes, along with others, are available for review and comment on the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov.

Comments may also be mailed to Joel Tohtz, Fisheries Management Bureau Chief, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701; Helena, MT 59601; or email to fwpfsh@mt.gov. Comments must be received by Sept. 12. The Fish & Wildlife Commission will take final action on the regulations in October.