Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2018 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.

Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.

Information on the proposed fishing contests can be found on the FWP Fishing Contest webpage, http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/whereToFish/contests/, or by calling 406-444-2449. All comments must be received on or before Jan. 12.

Comments may be mailed to FWP Fisheries Division, Attn: Fishing Contests, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov.

Proposed 2018 Open Water Fishing Contests - Updated

Northwest Montana, Region 1

Mar 10-11 - Tobacco Valley Rod and Gun Club Rainbow Derby Lake Koocanusa

Mar 16 - May 12 - Spring Mack Days Flathead Lake

April 4 - Big Sky Bass Bash/TBF Echo, Abbot, & Peterson Lakes

April 22 - NBAA Qualifier Lake Mary Ronan

May 5-6 - MT BASS Nation Team Open Noxon Rapids Reservoir

May 12-13 - Big Sky Bass Bash/TBF Flathead River & Sloughs

May 19-20 - Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby Lake Koocanusa

May 19-20 - NBAA Qualifier Noxon Rapids Reservoir

June 8-10 - MT BASS Nation State Championship Noxon Rapids Reservoir

June 9 - Wild West Panfish Trail Flathead River & Sloughs

June 23-24 - Bull Lake Pike Strike Bull Lake

July 28-29 - Tri-State Buddy Tournament/NBAA Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Aug 4-5 - NBAA Qualifier Thompson Lakes - Middle & Lower

Aug 18-19 - MT TBF State Team Qualifier Noxon Rapids Reservoir

Sept 8-9 - Wild West Panfish Trail Thompson Lake-Middle & Lower

Sept 21 - Nov 1 - Fall Mack Days Flathead Lake

Sept 22 - Bull Lake Pike and Bass Tournament Bull Lake

Sept 29 - Big Sky Bass Bash/TBF Echo, Abbot, & Peterson Lakes

Oct 6 - Wild West Panfish Trail Lake Mary Ronan

West Central Montana, Region 2

June 9-10 - Mr. Pike Classic Seeley & Salmon Lakes

Southwest Montana, Region 3

June 9 - Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby Sacajawea Park Lagoon

June 16 - Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond

North Central Montana, Region 4

May 18-20 - Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby Missouri, Marias, & Teton Rivers

June 9 - Canyon Ferry Carp Safari Canyon Ferry Reservoir

June 9-10 - Tiber Walleye Tournament Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell

June 17 - Lions Club Father’s Day Fish Derby Newlan Creek Reservoir

June 23-24 - Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Canyon Ferry Reservoir

July 14 - Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby Canyon Ferry Reservoir

July 14 - Fishin for Fun (Family Fun Days) Women’s Tournament Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell

Aug 11 - Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Aug 25 - John Arnold Fish Derby Hauser Reservoir

South Central Montana, Region 5

April 28 - Worden Cat Slam Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam)

May 12 - Annual Yellowstone Challenge Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River)

June 9-10 - NBAA Qualifier Yellowtail Reservoir

July 22 - Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament Bighorn Lake

Northeast Montana, Region 6

Apr 21 - Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

May 5-6 - Crooked Creek Walleye Classic Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek Bay)

May 19-20 - Fresno Walleye Challenge Fresno Reservoir

June 2 - Annual Milk River Catfish Classic Milk River (Bjornberg Bridge to mouth of the Milk River)

June 2-3 - Rock Creek Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir

June 9-10 - Pikemasters Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Big Dry Arm)

June 23 - Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

July 12-15 - Annual MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir

July 21 - Women’s Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir

July 28-29 - Hell Creek Walleye Tournament Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 18 - Fishin’ For the Cure Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 18-19 - NBAA Qualifier Fort Peck Reservoir

Aug 19-20 - TBF Championship (ND/MT) Fort Peck Reservoir

Sept 22-23 - NBAA MT State Championship Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek)

Northeast Montana, Region 7

May 19 - Hysham Cat Havoc Yellowstone River (Hysham Dam to Reservation Creek Road)

May 19 - Glendive Catfish Tourney Yellowstone River (Fallon Bridge to Intake Dam)

June 9 Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge)

July 21 - Monster Catfish Roundup Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line)

July 28 - Forsyth Cat Bash Yellowstone River (Forsyth Dam to Rosebud County Line)

Sept 8-9 - Miles City Spring Cat Frenzy (State Championship) Yellowstone River (Rosebud County Line to Kinsey Bridge)

Sept 22 - Yellowstone River Classic Yellowstone River (Rosebud/Custer Co. line to Kinsey Bridge)

Oct 13 - Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest Yellowstone River (Seven Sister Island to North Dakota line)