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About 140 Richland County sixth-graders took part in the annual Walleyes Unlimited MonDak Chapter's kids fishing day at the Gartside Reservoir on May 21. Kevin Mayer and Justin Jones of the MonDak Chapter believe it was the 28th year of the activity to encourage youngsters to fish. The local event was created through the early leadership of Mayer, Russ Wells and Doug Hill. "A lot of chapters do this," Mayer said. "It introduces the kids to fishing." For the past several years, the Montana...
North Dakota residents who want to give fishing a try can fish for free June 1-2. That is the state’s free fishing weekend, when all residents 16 and older can fish any North Dakota water without a license. Residents 15 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time of year. The weekend provides a great opportunity to try fishing for the first time or take someone new. Information on regulations, where to fish and what equipment is needed is available on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov...
Bowfishing enthusiasts can test their skills and win big dollars in the Big 30 Octane Outdoors Bowfishing Tournament Saturday, June 1. Fish Trenton Lake, Lake Sakakawea, the Little Muddy River, the Yellowstone River, or the Missouri River and its tributaries. The event starts with registration from 7-7:50 a.m. followed by a rules meeting at 7:50 and blast off at 8 a.m. CDT. Weigh-ins are at 5 p.m., all at Octane Outdoors, 1008 E. Broadway, Williston. There is a 100 pound deduction for every minute past the 5 p.m. weigh-in time. Cost to enter...
Bowfishing enthusiasts can test their skills and win big dollars in the Big 30 Octane Outdoors Bowfishing Tournament Saturday, June 1. Fish Trenton Lake, Lake Sakakawea, the Little Muddy River, the Yellowstone River, or the Missouri River and its tributaries. The event starts with registration from 7-7:50 a.m. followed by a rules meeting at 7:50 and blast off at 8 a.m. CDT. Weigh-ins are at 5 p.m., all at Octane Outdoors, 1008 E. Broadway, Williston. There is a 100 pound deduction for every minute past the 5 p.m. weigh-in time. Cost to enter...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced Monday that the state’s 2024 paddlefish snagging season will close May 15 to any additional harvest to provide long-term protection of the paddlefish population. An additional snag-and-release extended season will begin May 16 and run through May 21. Paddlefish snaggers with unused tags can continue snagging during the additional snag-and-release season but must release all fish immediately. If a snagger has already used their tag on a harvested paddlefish, they are not allowed to p...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Missouri River Water Management Division started its weekly virtual meetings on Wednesday, April 24, to keep residents updated on the status of Fort Peck test flows. The call attracted more than 60 participants. The public can access the meetings, which start at noon (mountain time) on Wednesdays, at https://usace1.webex.com/usace1/j.php?MTID=ma8b176ff7ce553ae5f1f645f3a8629a4 The 2018 Biological Opinion requires the test under the Endangered Species Act for o...
The drawings for Montana deer and elk permits and for nonresident combination licenses are complete and applicants can check their results online. This is the fourth year of the new online application process, which allows Fish, Wildlife & Parks to complete the drawing much faster than in years past. There are a few ways to get your drawing results. Visit fwp.mt.gov, click on MyFWP Login in the upper righthand corner, then click on Lookup Draw Results, Register for Lists tab on the left-hand menu, or login to your MyFWP account. You may also...
North Dakota’s paddlefish snagging season opens May 1, and snaggers should be aware of the sale and distribution of paddlefish tags. Paddlefish tags are available for purchase online at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website, gf.nd.gov, at license vendors, and during business hours at Game and Fish Department offices in Bismarck, Dickinson, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Lonetree (Harvey) and Williston. Snaggers buying tags online have the option to have the tag mailed or can stop at a district office and pick it up during business hou...
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a virtual meeting to gather input for the 2025-26 fishing regulations. The virtual meeting is scheduled for April 9, at 6 p.m. Fishing regulations are now under a process like hunting regulations, going through a comprehensive public review every two years. Fishing regulations are printed during odd numbered years. To review FWP’s proposed regulation changes, go to fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/fishing-regulations. FWP will also accept and review fishing regulations cha...
Glasgow ̶ Paddlefish anglers planning to harvest a fish in the Upper Missouri River (between Fort Peck Dam and Fort Benton) need to apply for an Upper Missouri River paddlefish tag by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 22. For 2024, a total of 1,000 tags are available for the drawing. A 2024 fishing license is necessary before applying, and applications can be submitted online at fwp.mt.gov or at an FWP office. Anglers have the option to apply individually or as a party (up to five people) and have the option to purchase a bonus point at the time of...
Helena – If you’re interested in providing input on how Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is crafting fishing regulations for the next two years, now is your chance. FWP is taking public comment and asking for ideas on initial proposals for the 2025-2026 Fishing Regulations. The initial 64 proposals are online now and available for review and comment. Just go to fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/fishing-regulations. FWP is also looking for ideas for regulation changes that aren’t captured in these initial proposals. To answer quest...
HELENA – Landowners have until March 15 to apply for Unlocking Public Lands (UPL) Program or the Public Access Land Agreement (PALA) Program. These programs are designed to provide public access to state or federal land where access is either limited or doesn’t exist. For enrollment in UPL, landowners will receive an income tax credit in the amount of $750 per agreement and up to a maximum of $3,000 in tax credits in exchange for allowing access across the private lands via roads or trails to reach inaccessible public land. Landowners must ho...
HELENA – As hunters prepare for the license year beginning March 1, they should be aware of some regulation changes to antelope licenses in FWP Region 7, as well as a new moose season. Changes to antelope licenses for Region 7 For hunters looking to pursue antelope in FWP’s Region 7, either-sex and doe/fawn licenses are no longer valid region wide. In December, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted to divide Region 7 into a north and south unit using the Yellowstone River as the boundary for antelope hunting. The commission also passed a reg...
Applications are being accepted for the Richland County Conservation District cost share program. To get an application stop by the conservation office, 2745 W. Holly, Sidney, request one by email [email protected] or visit the website www.richlandcd.org. Cost share funds available for stock water wells and pipelines, grass seeding, irrigation projects, fencing and any other conservation practice that enhances the natural resources in Richland County. The Richland County Conservation District is in its 14th year of assisting Richland County...
Helena – It took a while to get here, but winter finally hit Montana. That means winter enthusiasts will be heading out to recreate. Whether ice fishing, ice skating, hunting, snowmobiling, or just taking a walk, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff reminds recreationists that safety should be the number one concern during a day out on (or near) the ice. Here are some safety tips: • Anglers and other recreationists should be familiar with the water body they plan to fish or recreate on. Pay close attention to the changing conditions of the ice...
Helena – Despite the initial warmth experienced earlier this winter, Montana is now grappling with a prolonged period of sub-zero temperatures and Arctic cold fronts. This abrupt shift serves as a timely reminder that weather patterns can change unexpectedly, necessitating vigilance and awareness of potential ice jam flooding. Ice jam flooding, a phenomenon prevalent along Montana’s rivers and streams, occurs when sub-zero temperatures precede sudden warm-ups, typically from now until March. Additionally, spring breakup can trigger ice jam...
The area has been experiencing dry winter weather without much snow cover, and moderate daily temperatures, making it beneficial to continue watering your evergreen trees and shrubs. Evergreens lose moisture all winter long and watering them can reduce the chance of winter injury and desiccation. Water the trees mid-day to ensure the water will soak into the ground and when daytime temperatures are about 40°F. Younger and newly planted trees experience more water-stress compared to established trees, making it even more important to water...
Helena – The Montana Outfitters and Guides Association has recognized the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission for making important changes to the state’s hunting season rules and regulations. The Commission’s actions strike a delicate balance between wildlife management, conservation efforts, public access, and hunter opportunity. Speaking on behalf of MOGA, Mac Minard, executive director, emphasized the critical nature of these changes. “These are pivotal adjustments designed to protect mule deer populations, enhance hunting opportu...
Ahead of fall public meetings, the Draft Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System Annual Operating Plan for the 2023-2024 runoff season is now available for public comment. The Missouri River Water Management Division has made the draft 2023-2024 Annual Operating Plan available at: https://www.nwd.usace.army.mil/MRWM/Public-Meetings/. The public comment period on the draft plan will close Nov. 30. The draft plan will be presented to the public in six meetings to be held in early November....
North Dakota’s waterfowl season opens for residents Sept. 23, while nonresidents may begin hunting waterfowl Sept. 30. The season for swans opens Sept. 30 for both residents and nonresidents who have purchased a swan license. Hunters may take six ducks, including mergansers, per day, with the following restrictions: five mallards of which two may be hens, three wood ducks, two redheads, two canvasbacks, one scaup, and one pintail. Mergansers are included in the total duck limit, with no species restrictions. Hunters can take two additional b...
North Dakota’s two-day youth pheasant season, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, is a great opportunity to introduce a new hunter to the outdoors, with limited competition. That’s when legally licensed residents and nonresidents 15 and younger can hunt rooster pheasants, statewide. An adult, at least 18, must accompany the youth hunter in the field. The adult may not carry a firearm. A general game and habitat license is required, and hunters 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course or obtain an apprentice hunter validation, whi...
The deadline for submitting entries in the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual Watchable Wildlife Photo Contest is Oct. 2. The contest has categories for nongame and game species, as well as plants/insects. An overall winning photograph will be chosen, with the number of place winners in each category determined by the number of qualified entries. Photographers should go to the Game and Fish Department’s website at gf.nd.gov/photo-contest. Then it is a matter of providing some pertinent information about the photo and uploading it....
Helena - While mule deer populations remain steady in portions of the state, spring green-up surveys conducted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife biologists showed populations in some parts of the state remain lower than desired, and as a result, licenses available to hunters in those areas have been cut back. Over the past few years, persistent drought, particularly in southeast Montana, has affected both survival and recruitment rates for mule deer. This drought has also, at times, been coupled with hard winters, making it especially...
Helena - So far this year, FWP and its partners have inspected 66,000 watercraft for aquatic invasive species. Of those, 35 were mussel-fouled and more than 200 were found with aquatic weeds. FWP and partner agencies, which include tribes, counties and conservation districts, operate more than 17 road-side watercraft inspection stations across the state. To find a watercraft inspection station or to learn more, go to CleanDrainDryMT.com or call the FWP Aquatic Invasive Species Bureau at 406-444-2440. A July survey for Eurasian watermilfoil...