Montana Fish Report

The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted 2018 sport fishing regulations today at its meeting in Salem. Some of the changes anglers will see next year include:

• Anglers with a two-rod endorsement will be able to use up to five rods when ice fishing (statewide).
• There will be additional opportunity for retention of hatchery spring Chinook from Jan. 1- July 31 in some NW Zone streams including the Wilson, Trask, Nestucca, Kilchis River(s).
• No bag or size limits for bass in the lower Deschutes River.
• Change in the kokanee bonus daily bag limit in Wickiup Reservoir and Lake Billy Chinook to 5 kokanee per day in addition to the daily trout limit (so anglers can take up to 10 kokanee per day).

The Commission was also briefed on a draft updated Cougar Management Plan and heard public testimony about it. The Plan to guide management of cougars was last updated in 2006. The current draft Plan does not propose major management changes. It does incorporate more scientific literature and Oregon-specific research about cougars, including a genetics and habitat analysis. The updated Plan will continue to stress coexistence with Oregon’s more than 6,000 cougars.

The Commission approved grant funds for nine Restoration and Enhancement Projects to improve angler access or facilities or enhance fisheries and appointed John Breese of Prineville, Ore. as the Landowner Representative to the Access and Habitat Board.

The Commission is the policy making body for fish and wildlife issues in Oregon. Its next meeting is Sept. 14-15 in Welches, Ore.