2021 Proposed Fishing Regulation Changes

FWP conducts a full review of fishing regulations every four years in order to give new regulations time to work and to reduce the time that staff and the public must devote to the regulation setting process. A complete review of regulations took place in 2020. That makes 2021 an off-year and any updates to the fishing regulations must meet explicit criteria, except for emergency or time-sensitive changes. The regulations adopted by the commission go into effect the following March and are printed in the Fishing Regulation booklet for that year.

FVTU has reviewed the proposed changes for 2021. We noted two changes that our chapter will support.

In recent years the Western Region has seen an increase in illegal introduction of invasive fish species, especially walleye. As walleye were found in several water bodies in region 1, FWP has introduced regulations for each specific lake. In 2021, FWP proposes changing the wording so that walleye are recognized as unlawful introductions in any waters west of the continental divide, with the exception of Noxon Reservoir where an established population has existed for several years. (FVTU has unsuccessfully fought for eradication of this walleye population, but that’s a subject for another time.)

Walleye: All Walleye caught must be killed immediately, kept and the entire fish turned into FWP. Anglers who catch Walleye in the Western Fishing District are required to report the catch to FWP within 24 hours (406-752-5501). This class of drug pfizer viagra is less commonly prescribed due to strong side effects. If you can go for kamagra order cialis online bestellen then it will always believe a good choice as it is illegal in some shapes and forms. A http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/01/27/the-story-behind-this-famous-guardian-angel-painting/ cialis canada prescription warning was issued yesterday (6/25/10) for people to stop using it immediately. This is usa cheap viagra possible by being more physically active. Anglers will be asked to provide location, date, and time of capture and may be asked to provide their full name, ALS number, and phone number. Anglers are required to turn in the whole Walleye to a FWP office within 10 days of capture (frozen is allowed) during regular business hours. Does not include Clark Fork Reservoirs downstream of Thompson Falls Dam, see Exceptions for the Clark Fork River

The other change that we support recognizes crappie as an invasive species throughout the Western Region and specifically places no catch limit on crappie.

Rationale: Crappie are illegally introduced into many Western District lakes. This regulation confirms to the angling public that FWP knows crappies are in these waters and will not reward bad behavior by creating protective regulations

Our chapter supports both of these proposed changes.

The proposed changes can be reviewed at http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/publicComments/regsProposals.html  We hope that our members will look over the proposed regulation changes and send their own comments to FWP at the URL above.  Here are comments from the board that have been submitted;

Commissioners,
 
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the 2021 proposed fishing regulations. As President of the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited I represent our nearly 400 conservation-minded members. 
 
Our chapter has long been concerned about the creeping infestation of nonnative fish in the waters of the Western Fishing District. As we noted in our comments before the August Commission meeting, FWP has traditionally used the “whack a mole” approach in attempts to stamp out new illegal introductions. Sadly, that approach has proven ineffective. 
 
We therefore applaud the two new regulation proposals to: 1.) Require all Walleye caught in the Western Fishing District (except downstream of Thompson Falls Dam) to be killed, kept and turned in; and 2.) Establish “No Limit” on Crappies in the Western Fishing District.
 
Biologists have long recognized that there is no niche for additional predator species like Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappies, and Smallmouth Bass in the generally oligotrophic lakes of the Western District and yet the spread continues largely unabated at the expense of our native salmonids like Westslope Cutthroat and the Threatened Bull Trout.  While it is unlikely that these regulation changes will stop these unlawful transplants, it will at least provide a consistent message across the regulatory landscape and stop rewarding the perpetrators. For these reasons we support those changes. 
 
Sincerely,
 
/s/ Dan Short
 
Dan Short
Chapter President
Flathead Valley Chapter Trout Unlimited

Hope you are all getting out and enjoying some of our great local fishing opportunities. We look forward to communicating with you throughout the winter and we will be sure to let you know when we are able to resurrect in-person meetings.