The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

A few years back the Montana State Legislature passed a law that allowed the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks service to offer 'Free Fishing weekends. These weekends were to coincide with the Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays. The goal, to encourage families to get outside and enjoy some of the great ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs the Big Sky has to offer as a family. Simply put the law states, 'Any person (resident or nonresident) may fish for any fish within this state without a Fishing License as long as they follow the seasons, restrictions and bag limits listed in the 2022 Fishing Regulations. The two exceptions to this are Paddlefish and Bull Trout fishing, both of which require the purchase of a Conservation, Fishing, and AIS Prevention Licenses.'

Fishing is one of many popular outdoor activities that a number of folks are more than happy to partake in. Many make it out weekly to one of our local bodies of water while some even fish daily. There are those that would like to fish with family and friends, but don't think they will be able to do so often enough to justify purchasing a license for everyone in the family. This is what the 'Free Fishing Weekend is all about, "It's a great opportunity for the dads to take their families out and enjoy a day recreating on one of Montana great fisheries and spending time with their family," said Cody Nagle, the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Fisheries Biologist out of Havre."

Blaine County is home to a number of different bodies of water including Dry Fork Reservoir north of Chinook, North and South Faber Reservoirs, HC Kuhr Reservoir, Clear Creek, Battle Creek, the Milk River. Right next door in Hill County, Fresno Reservoir and Beaver Creek Park offers great fishing locations as well. When anyone goes out and cast their line, they are certainly hoping to enjoy a little success to make the outing that much more enjoyable. Each body of water contains a different ecosystem, different species, different water quality, so finding the ideal spot may take some looking into.

Kassidy Popchoke of Chinook fishes quit often and mostly in the evening offers this advice, "For a family with young kids I'd say Dry Fork, it's got lots of places to spread out and lots of places to fish. Every point on that reservoir has fish, fish for small kids like perch, and fish for older kids like pike and walleye, which offer more of a fight and a sport. Pike are really biting right now everywhere, off the river and the reservoirs. Pike are biting off anything, spoons, lures, and jigs heads."

Nagle has heard of a number of spots that offer good fishing opportunities, "South Faber, HC Kuhr are known more for larger sized trout, 2-4 pound trout, numbers can be OK but it's not like super high catch rates compared to say Second Lake at Beaver Creek park. Generally, people are landing many more fish at at Second Lake but not as big, generally 8-12"

As for the area's biggest body of water Nagle says, "Walleye fishing on Fresno from what I've heard has been pretty good, Water levels are down around 18', but ramps are still available,

Free Fishing Day

and the word is the Walleye catch has been very good." Elsewhere he adds, "Dry Fork numbers have been pretty good for Pike and Walleye and First Lake at Beaver Creek has been starting to fish well for perch, Walleye, Northern Pike and Small Mouth Bass."

Kassidy Popchoke

Free fishing weekend, June 18-19 is just around the corner. The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has designated Mothers Day and Father's Day weekends as free fishing days to encourage families to enjoy the great outdoors together. Above: this location, just south of Chinook on the Milk River is a great spot to catch Northern Pike, Walleye and maybe even a Sauger.

This time of year, with water being passed through Fresno Dam for farmers to use to irrigate their fields Nagle has this to say, "There is a lot of water coming down the Milk River right now and it is always a great place to target Walleye, Pike perch and even Sauger, always a good option. Beaver creek can be good for Brookes, Rainbows, and Brown Trout and Clear Creek has decent opportunities the farther you get into the Bear paws for trout." As far as his recommendation for a family fishing excursion, "For me if it's strictly to go catch a fish you can't go wrong with Bear Paw Lake."

Water safety is always an issue and knowledge of the rules and regulations is a must as well. All those without a license that take part in the free fishing weekend are required to follow all the applicable rules and regulations that any licensee would be required to. If you are unsure be sure to locate a Montana Fishing Regulation handbook before you head out. These handbooks are also very helpful in identifying fish caught. Be sure to know a little bit about the body of water you intend to fish, make sure you ask permission if you cross into private property and leave your fishing area in better shape than you found it. Most of all, have fun with the family or friends or if you go by yourself be sure to enjoy the experience. Good luck and hopefully there are plenty of fish tales in your future!