FWP holding open house on draft Fresno fisheries plan

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has an open house set for Aug. 16 on its proposed first-ever long-range comprehensive plan for the fisheries at Fresno Reservoir.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation owns and operates the dam at Fresno, used for flood control, irrigation and other conservation uses, part of the irrigation Milk River Project.

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.

FWP put out a call earlier this year for applicants to be on a citizens advisory committee for a first-ever official fisheries management plan for Fresno. With a draft of the plan completed, the agency is accepting public comments on the plan from Aug. 1 until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31.

A release from FWP said the new plan 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 in an effort to improve catch rates.

“The Management Goal under this Plan is: 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),” the draft proposal says.

The plan was written in concert with the nine-member citizens advisory committee that represented local walleye anglers, non-local walleye anglers, local government, local business, and general/youth angling. The group met four times over the course of four months working with FWP to develop the draft management plan.

The plan will be the first official management plan developed for the Fresno fishery. The plan will be completed in 2021 and will serve to guide fisheries management for a five-year period, from 2022-2026.

“The Advisory Committee brought a wide range of interests and values that are represented in this plan. FWP could not have developed this plan without their assistance,” said Steve Dalbey, FWP Region 6 fisheries program manager. “Comments received by the public will be addressed and incorporated into the plan.”

Fresno Reservoir ranks as the fifth-most popular fishing destination in northeast Montana and records more than 12,350 angler days annually. Fresno also generates approximately $1 million in angling-related revenue annually.

The draft plan is available for review on the Fresno Fisheries Management webpage at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fisheries-programs/fresno-reservoir . Hardcopies of the plan are available at the Glasgow and Havre FWP offices.  Questions can be directed to the Havre 406-265-6177, or Glasgow, 406-228-3700, FWP offices.

Comments can be submitted by:

1. Attending the Open House in Havre Aug. 16, from 6-9 p.m., at the Best Western Plus Havre Inn and Suites at Boot Hill Plaza on U.S. Highway 2 West.

2. Commenting via the [email protected] link on the Fresno Management web page at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fisheries-programs/fresno-reservoir .

3. Emailing  FWPFish [email protected] .

4. Mailing to:

Attn: Fresno Management Plan

MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks

1 Airport Road, Glasgow, MT 59230.