HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a variety of items that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its next meeting, Oct. 15. The meeting will be held at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena starting at 8 a.m.
One of the agenda items is the 2027-2028 fishing regulations. FWP staff’s proposed package includes 44 proposals that update statewide, district-standard and waterbody-specific fishing regulations.
Some changes were proposed by the public. These include expanding the number of poles allowed on the Missouri River (Cascade Bridge to Black Eagle Dam) and Fort Peck Reservoir (open water) and instituting a seasonal setline restriction on the Yellowstone River (Billings to mouth of Bighorn).
"These recommended regulations changes for the commission to consider are a testament to the public involvement during the scoping process this past June, as well as FWP's commitment to proactive fisheries management across Montana," said Adam Strainer, FWP fisheries division administrator.
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Revisions include clarifying that soft-plastic imitations are considered lures, modifying the Cow Creek – Beauchamp Creek setline season and eliminating the proposed Madison River district standard pike-harvest change while retaining proposed side-channel closures.
The package also increases the combined trout harvest limit on the Big Hole River to one fish and the brown trout harvest limit on the Beaverhead River to five. Additional proposed changes would remove the Beaverhead River spawning-closure exception from Barretts Diversion to the mouth, clarify Big Hole River access site names and update paddlefish-tagging requirements to support enforcement.
"The proposed fishing regulations are intended to support fisheries management objectives, improve clarity and enforceability and provide angling opportunity where the resource allows," said Andrew Gilham, FWP fisheries management bureau chief. "We encourage anglers and other interested members of the public to review the proposals and get involved in the process by sharing their input with the commission."
The full set of preliminary proposals is available online. More information about this and other agenda items is available on the commission meeting webpage.
How to submit public comment
Your voice matters in this process. The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Sept. 24. There are two ways to comment before the meeting:
- Online portal (SurveyMonkey): Each agenda item includes a survey for submitting public comment. Letters and supporting documents may be attached to the survey.
- Mail: Send written comments to: Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, c/o FWP Liaison – Director’s Office, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
Commenting during the meeting
You’re welcome to comment in person on Oct. 15 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, or at your nearest FWP regional office – find locations here.
Joining by Zoom? You can comment virtually, but you must register in advance. Registration opens Sept. 30 and closes at noon on Oct. 14. Comment time at the meeting may be limited at the commission chair's discretion.
