Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has backpedaled on a controversial elk management strategy after a public response that FWP Director Henry “Hank” Worsech described as a “firestorm.” Even after the department backed away from the most contentious proposal it had planned to present to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, public commenters continued
A full fishing closure is in effect for the upper Madison River from Ennis Lake upstream to Hebgen Dam.
A malfunction at Hebgen Dam caused flows on the Madison River to drop Tuesday, stranding fish on riffles and concentrating fish in deep water. NorthWestern Energy is working to fix the dam.
Water flow from Hebgen Dam to the Madison River significantly decreased Nov. 30 when a gate component failed on the dam’s outlet structure, decreasing the opening for the outtake of water at the bottom of the gate.
The Fish & Wildlife Commission will hold a public hearing to consider an amendment voted on by the commissioners relating to the implementation of the commercial use cap on the Madison River.
The Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously voted to adopt the Madison River Recreation Rules as recommended by Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and approved amendments to recommended rules including a cap on outfitter numbers and the rest/ rotation and walk/wade schedules on Nov. 18.
Background
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released a draft version of the Madison River recreation administrative rules as well as the environmental assessment (EA) for public comment Friday.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission rejected a proposed plan regulating recreation use on the Madison River during an April 19 meeting in Helena. The Madison River Recreation Plan, which was drafted by state fisheries officials, would have regulated commercial fishing use on the river.
65 N. MT Hwy 287
Ennis, MT 59729
406-682-7755
www.madisoniannews.com