FWP Rolls Out Its Management Plan for Fresno
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) held an open house on August 16 at the Best Western Plus Havre Inn and Suites to invite public comment on its proposed long-range comprehensive plan for the fisheries at Fresno Reservoir. Anyone who missed the event and wishes to comment has until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 31.
The 51-page document was prepared by two Fisheries Biologists for Region 6: Cody Nagel, who is based in Havre, and Steve Dalbey, based in Glasgow. In preparing the Plan, the co-authors and the agency collected input from a nine-member citizens' advisory committee that represented both local and non-local walleye anglers, local government, local business, and general/youth anglers. This group met four times over the course of four months working with FWP to develop the draft Management Plan.
"Monday night was an open house type format that allowed the public an opportunity to meet face-to-face with FWP staff, ask questions about the draft Plan, and submit any comments about the draft Plan. Local community feedback has been very positive. Most of the questions and feedback have emphasized walleye stocking, access opportunities in the management plan area, habitat enhancement, and water management," reported Nagel.
This plan will be the first-ever official management blueprint developed for the Fresno Fishery. It sets the direction for fisheries management on Fresno and establishes management targets for sportfish and forage species. In addition, the plan proposes to reestablish a walleye stocking program. With hopes for completion in 2021, the Plan will serve to guide fisheries management until 2026.
As stated in the Plan, the Management Goal is two-fold: to increase catch rates and to maintain a healthy fishery. "The Fresno Reservoir fisheries will be managed as a walleye fishery with the primary goal of high angler catch rates for Stock and Quality walleye. This will be accomplished by stocking hatchery walleye to augment the wild walleye population. An emphasis will be placed on habitat enhancement efforts to support other species of interest (yellow perch, black crappie and forage species). Under this Management Goal, angler harvest of walleyes will be essential to maintain a healthy fishery," the draft proposal states.
The Executive Summary in the plan describes Fresno Reservoir as a 5,100-acre reservoir in North Central Montana. Although FWP manages the fishery in the reservoir, a wildlife management area at the west end, and a public access area on the Milk River immediately downstream of the dam, the United States Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates the dam itself. Since its formation in 1939 as part of the Milk River irrigation system, Fresno Reservoir has served as flood control and performed in other conservation functions.
According to data collected since 2001, Fresno Reservoir ranks as the 5th most popular fishing destination in Northeast Montana and the 63rd most heavily fished waterbody in Montana. With an annual record of more than 12,350 angler days, Fresno also generates approximately $1 million in angling-related revenue annually.
Statistics on the Fresno Fisheries Management webpage report that the majority of angling pressure comes from Hill County anglers, who posted a 73% use-rate. Cascade County posted 9.7%, with Blaine County coming in at 4.7% and Choteau County at 2.3%. In most years, the bulk (75%) of the angling pressure occurs in the summer months with limited ice fishing activity.
Following the introduction of walleye in 1957, FWP placed its primary management focus on that species. As a result, Fresno supports the highest relative abundance of walleye of any fishery in Montana. In addition, yellow perch, black crappie, northern pike, and lake whitefish currently round out the fishery.
During the 1940's and early 1950's, Fresno was managed as a trout fishery. Since that time, rainbow trout have been periodically stocked to increase angler catch rates, to diversify angling opportunities, and to provide short-term angling opportunities when other species populations were low-which was the case in 2002-2003. Success of this stocking was limited, with minimal contribution to the angler catch and low returns in netting surveys. In an effort to develop a more diverse fishery and to satisfy requests for stocking, rainbow were again planted in 2020. These fish were stocked as catchables (7"-8") in early October to avoid predation. Given limited results, no rainbow trout stocking will occur during the duration of the current Plan.
The draft plan is available for review on the Fresno Fisheries Management webpage. Hardcopies of the Plan are also available at the Glasgow and Havre FWP offices. Because the agency is accepting public comments on the Plan until 5 p.m. on August 31, anyone with questions or commentary is encouraged to call the Havre (406-265-6177) or Glasgow (406-228-3700) FWP offices.
Additionally, comments can be submitted by commenting via the FWPFishComments@mt.gov link on the Fresno Management web page, by emailing FWPFishComments@mt.gov, or sending commentary through US mail addressed to Attn: Fresno Management Plan; MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks; 1 Airport Road, Glasgow, MT 59230.
