February State Meeting/Banquet – Lewistown

Social 7 pm Feb 18 Yogo Inn

 Meeting 8 am  Feb 19 Eagles Club.   Meeting at 8 am

Doors open banquet 5 pm Feb 19 Fergus County Trade Center

FYI: Banquet tickets will not be reserved. The cost is $40 each.
Make check payable to Walleyes Unlimited, Mail check to; Colby Tognetti, 715 4th Ave N, Lewistown, MT 59457-1403, Phone: 406-350-2627OR mail to; Don Pyrah, P.O. Box 3595, Lewistown, MT 59457-3595  Phone: 406-380-0064

NEW Kids photos and Chapter chatter!

Be sure you check out our kids day events and chapter chatter. Please also submit photos of your catch to Webmaster!

Kids Fishing Day – Walleyes Unlimited is committed to our Montana Kids! Be sure to visit our Kids Day page and see what your local chapters are doing. Send in your kids day photos and you might find yourself on the front page!

Chapter Chatter – this link will be updated every Fishtales punishment so if you miss your magazine you can always get caught up on your local chapter events here!

2021 Fort Peck Spawning

Check out the 2021 Fort Peck Spawning reports by Heath Headley.

Click on the link below to view reports (updated weekly till completed)

SPAWNING

Walleyes Unlimited Legislature Preference List

Click on the link below to view a list of all bills Walleyes Unlimited are following for this 2021 Montana Legislature session.

http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/law_utilities.CallBillSearchResults?P_ENTY_ID_SEQ2=16481&P_PFLT_APPL_SEQ=1&P_SESS=20211

HB 152

Please read HB 152. It is a secondary offense violation. A vehicle has to be stopped for a different violation before Law Enforcement can check for the plug violation. It is written like our seat belt law.  Applies only to Highway Patrolman, Sheriff’s Officers, and City Policemen. Game Wardens have no authority to enforce traffic or motor vehicle registration laws, only Fish and Game laws. 

https://legiscan.com/MT/bill/HB152/2021

Even a worse idea than I thought. 

Please use our contact page and select Executive Director – Bob Gilbert

Thank you,
Bob Gilbert  E.D.Lobbyist

HB 154 Requires drain plugs to be removed while trailering your boat

Notice On 1-12-21 House Bill 152 was assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee.  As of today, 1-14-21, a hearing date has not been scheduled.  The Bill is sponsored by Neil Duram from Eureka at the request of the Department of Natural Resources.  Not from FWP. The Bill will require that all boat drain plugs be removed during transit in the State.  The WUM Board discussed this same proposal a couple of years or so ago and decided not to support it.  I am asking for member input with your opinions.  Also, since the time for the hearing will be soon please call or email your Legislators on the House Natural Resources Committee and express your opinions.

This is a bad idea and needs to be defeated.  Please note the comments on the Bill by Dale Gilbert.  He is spot on.

1. Since we are already required to remove the plug, clean and dry the boat prior to leaving a site….what additional benefit is gained by leaving the plug removed?  Does the benefits out weigh the risks?
2. Leaving the plug removed would potentially result in the loss of the plug, damage to the boat drain hole from the a plug left dangling while trailering down the road.
3. Leaving the drain plug removed will also likely result in boaters forgetting to replace it prior to launching and creating a dangerous situation or at the very least congestion at the ramp while they are trying to get the plug in or have to reload the boat.

Please get in touch with Committee Members or email to me at your earliest convenience.      Please use our contact page and select Executive Director – Bob Gilbert

Thank you,
Bob Gilbert  E.D.Lobbyist

Proposed Legislation – FISH

Message from Bob Gilbert:

I am looking for comments on this proposal. Please email me using the contact page, you can find me under Executive Director – Bob Gilbert.

2021 MONTANA FISHING ENHANCEMENT ACT

PREAMBLE Whereas sport fishing is part of Montana’s rich outdoor heritage, and fishing is culturally important to over two hundred thousand residents of Montana, 100,000 out-of-state visitors and whereas sport fishing is a $280,000,000 dollar industry in Montana, and whereas the total angler days of fishing in Montana appears to be declining for both resident anglers and visitors, and that a very large percent of the sport fish caught in Montana are non-native fish, NOW THEREFORE it is policy of the State Montana to:

1. Recognize the cultural importance of sport fishing in Montana for all important fish species.

2. Recognize the economic importance of sport fishing in Montana

3. Give equal recognition to both native fish and important non-native fish of economic and cultural importance.

4. Important Montana fish species include non-native Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Brook Trout; Westslope Cutthroat Trout; Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout; Bull Trout; Arctic Grayling; Mountain Whitefish; Northern Pike; Walleyes; Yellow Perch; Kokanee Salmon; Largemouth Bass; Smallmouth Bass; Crappies; Catfish; Sauger; non-native Lake Trout; and Lake Superior Whitefish.

5. Montana FWP shall take all appropriate steps to improve and enhance fishing opportunities in Montana for all species of importance

6. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks shall update the state fisheries management plan to ensure maintaining healthy and viable populations for all fish of importance as mentioned in this legislation. The update of the state fish management plan shall include extensive public meetings and will consider public input.

7. Any fish management project to assist native threatened or endangered or sensitive fish species, which reduces sport fishing opportunities for other fish species of importance, shall provide for replacement sport fishing opportunities of the fish species displaced.

8. All existing fish hatcheries shall be kept open and in full production similar to average hatchery production for the last five years. FWP shall provide a complete assessment of the current fish hatchery system, future needs and recommended changes, including budget requirements to the 2023 Legislature

2021 Tournaments

Welcome 2021 Tournament anglers. Here are the proposed dates and entry forms for all Tournaments. This will be updated and amended as changes are made and confirmed from FWP by mid January.

Montana Circuit
Crooked Creek Walleye Classic – May 15-16
Fresno Challenge – June 12-13
Canyon Ferry Walleye Fest – June 26-27
Tiber Tournament – July 17-18

Fort Peck Series
Rock Creek June 5 – 6
Gov Cup – July 8-11
Hell Creek – July 24-25

Other Tournaments
2021 Approved Ice Derby’s
2021 Proposed Open Water Derby’s

Eastfork Perch Tournament – January 16-17