LAST CHANCE to comment on proposed ice derbies

[PerchAssault]

Hope everyone has commented, especially for those of you who want a Perch Assault on Canyon Ferry!  CRITICAL to comment as we got nixed last year for Frances. Comments accepted thru tomorrow, August 29th so why not do it now?

Mike

Monday, July 30, 2012
Fishing

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on ice fishing contests proposed for the 2012-13 winter season.

Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits. Most contests require catch-and-release fishing and participants may not keep any fish.

Applications for contests may be approved, denied, or approved with conditions. Conditions placed on contests are often aimed at minimizing fish mortality, regulating harvest, avoiding user conflicts, or requiring additional access site maintenance.

Send comments by Aug. 29 to FWP-Fisheries Bureau, Attn: Public Comment on Fishing Derbies, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; or email to [email protected]. For more information call 406-444-2449 or email to [email protected].

Here are the proposed ice-fishing derbies:

Northwestern Montana—FWP Region 1

Dec. 15 The Perch Assault on Smith Lake
Dec. 29 Sunriser Lions Smith Lake Fish Derby on Smith Lake
Jan. 12, 2013 The Perch Assault on Middle Thompson Lake
Jan. 26-27, 2013 Fisher River Valley Winter Fishing Derby on Upper, Middle, Lower Thompson, Crystal & Loon Lakes
Feb. 1-23, 2013 10th Annual Perch Pounder on all Region One Waters
Feb. 9-10, 2013 The Lodge at McGregor Lake Annual Fishing Derby
Feb. 16, 2013 Snappy Sport Senter 13th Annual Lake Mary Ronan Derby
Feb. 16, 2013 Ryan Wagner Memorial Ice Fishing Derby on Murphy Lake
Feb. 23, 2013 Canyon Kids Christmas Fund Fishing Derby on Lion Lake
March 9, 2013 The Perch Assault on Lake Mary Ronan

South Central Montana—FWP Region 3

Jan. 26, 2013 Stan Shafer Memorial on Clark Canyon Reservoir
Feb. 3, 2013 Hebgen Lake NAIFC Qualifier on Lake Hebgen

North Central Montana—FWP Region 4

Jan. 12-13, 2013 Central Montana Perch Derby on East Fork Reservoir
Jan. 26-27, 2013 Broadwater Lions Perch Derby on Canyon Ferry Reservoir
Jan. 26, 2013 Western Bar Ice Fishing Derby on Willow Creek Reservoir
Feb. 9, 2013 Perch Assault on Canyon Ferry Reservoir

Northeastern Montana,--FWP Region 6

Jan. 5, 2013 6th Annual Clinton Phipps Memorial on Fort Peck Reservoir
Jan. 20, 2013 Crooked Creek Ice Derby on Fort Peck Reservoir
Jan. 26, 2013 Murph's 7th Annual Memorial Tournament on Nelson Reservoir
Jan. 26-27, 2013 2nd Annual Fresno Ice Derby on Fresno Reservoir
Feb. 2, 2013 Hell Creek Ice Fishing Tournament on Fort Peck Reservoir
Feb. 16, 2013 17th Annual Ice Fishing Derby on the Dredge Cut Trout Pond
 

[TCubed]

No Bitterroot bash?

[PerchAssault]

I think Gene decided 15 anglers does not a tournament make...

BUT stay tuned...we will be doing a couple of small, informal tournaments that meet FWP rules for UN PERMITED events...and maybe a Bitteroot event might be one of them
(Under 30 participants and under $500 in prizes do not need a permit)

Mike
www.aablefishing.com

[MT Hank]

Hi Mike
Do I even dare think about it??? 

[PerchAssault]

YES Hank!!!

[Cornbread]

Why Smith lake for a Perch Assault? I mean there are decent perch in there but you get bit off by tiny pike more than you catch perch. That one doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me unless it is because Smith is so shallow it freezes up before the other lakes do.

[PerchAssault]

Mostly because its an early freeze...and we wanted to do 4 events this year...seems like the winter weekend calendar fills up faster and faster every year...lots of other events we try not to conflict with.  Of course with us being denied for CF, we are back to only three.

Plenty of people fish Smith for perch and don't have trouble with the pike, all part of the challenge...