FWP's Walleye Plan Disputed
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter
FWP’s Walleye Plan Disputed
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
Local fishermen against FWP regulation change in Missouri River
A proposed change in walleye fishing regulations on the Missouri River between Toston Dam and Canyon Ferry Reservoir ran into stiff opposition at a public meeting in Townsend. About 30 people attended the April 16 “scoping session.” Ron Spoon, fisheries biologist at the Townsend field office of the state Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), presented the department’s proposal.
It calls for setting the daily harvest limit on that section of the river at five walleye of any size, which is the standard limit for the agency’s Central Fishing District. The current limit is 10, only one of which can be over 15 inches long. The official boundary line separating the river from the reservoir is the Highway 287 bridge just north of Townsend. The walleye limit on Canyon Ferry Reservoir would remain unchanged at 10 daily, only one over 15 inches.
Comments at the meeting indicated fear among anglers that by allowing a catch of five walleye without a size limit on the river reach will result in too many big fish getting caught. And since walleye migrate back and forth between the river and reservoir, they believe a higher catch of big walleye on the river will deplete the stock of big ones on the reservoir. On the other hand, Spoon says the change would reduce walleye predation on juvenile brown and rainbow trout in the river. He says FWP staff do not believe harvest of walleye in the river will significantly affect the reservoir fishery. The change in regulations, according to Spoon, would enhance trout spawning.
Chris McFadden, owner of Townsend Marine, referred to the Chamber of Commerce annual Walleye festival which brings many fishermen from out of town. He said the number of teams at the festival has been down and is just starting to increase. “We are starting to see gain and progress in the number of people coming to fish at Canyon Ferry. I would like to see more time with the current regulations,” he said.
Avid fisherman Matt Zeadow commented after the meeting that he and others had fought changes in the regulation twice before. “This is the third time we’ve confronted FWP about changing these regulations.”
FWP recently moved from a four-year fishing regulation cycle to a two-year cycle. The process for setting the 2025-2026 fishing regulations begins with public input on changes the department is considering. It also allows the public to propose regulations for FWP to consider. The department will use public input to develop regulation proposals to present to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. An additional comment period, expected in late August, will occur before the final proposals are presented to the commission.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: The Highway 287 bridge north of Townsend is the fishing regulations boundary line between Canyon Ferry Reservoir and the upper Missouri River.
Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: FWP Region 3 Fisheries' manager Mike Duncan leads a discussion about fishing regulations proposal last week at the Library Community Room.
Nancy Marks, MT43News Photographer
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