Paddlefish Season Soon to Open — Changes in Regulations Outlined

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is taking a conservative approach to managing the state’s paddlefish season. Paddlefish reproduction is down after an extended drought with low water flows over the past several years.

This, combined with increased fishing pressure for adult paddlefish, makes more conservative management of these long-lived fish essential, according to FWP officials.

Paddlefishing on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers generally begins May 1 or May 15, depending on the stretch of water. Specific fishing times and days apply too, so be sure to check the Montana fishing regulations for details.

Paddlefishing in Montana includes the upper Missouri River from Fort Benton to Fort Peck Dam. The Yellowstone River and lower Missouri Rivers include the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam and the Yellowstone River from Billings to the North Dakota line. A separate bow and arrow season on the Fort Peck dredge cuts is open July 1 to Aug. 31.

“This year’s regulations are geared to what is thought to be a sustainable harvest and should help to reduce catch and release mortalities,” said Brad Schmitz, FWP Region 7 fisheries manager in Miles City.

Schmitz said most of the regulation changes are on the Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam. On the Yellowstone River many paddlefish regulations are similar to last year’s.

Among the significant changes in this year’s paddlefish regulations are:

On the upper Missouri River there is a new 500 fish harvest target, and the season may be closed on 24-hour notice. Once the target is reached, catch and release continues to the end of the regular season ending June 15. Anglers will need to call the FWP Glasgow office at 406-228-3700 to check the harvest status.

Fishing hours remain in place and there is no night snagging for paddlefish. On the Yellowstone River catch and release fishing will be allowed at Intake Fishing Access Site only, a change from last year.

At Intake FAS, catch and release will be limited to Sunday, Monday and Thursday until the harvest quota is reached and to 10 days immediately following the harvest closure or the end of the regular season.

Hook size restrictions are new this year. An 8/0 or smaller hook is now required for all paddlefish snagging to protect the many younger paddlefish in the population that are susceptible to catch and release mortalities. Many manufacturers make an 8/0 hook that is about one inch from the bottom curve to the hook point.

Schmitz said anglers should also note that only paddlefish may be snagged on the Missouri River from Fort Benton to North Dakota and on the Yellowstone River.

The color coding on paddlefish tags remains the same: yellow for the Yellowstone River and lower Missouri River; white for the upper Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam; and blue for the dredge cuts below Fort Peck Dam for archery paddlefish angling. The appropriate tag is required to fish for paddlefish in each of these river sections and anglers may choose only one area to fish.

“FWP has made quite a few changes the past few years in the paddlefish regulations and will continue to refine them as we learn more about this long-lived fish and the best ways to conserve it to ensure continued harvests,” Schmitz said.

For more on paddlefishing, see the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov under Fishing and Regulations or pick up a copy of the 2008 Fishing Regulations at FWP regional offices or license providers; or request a copy of the special paddlefish pamphlet available at FWP offices