The 2018 paddlefish season on the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam (yellow tags) has been under way for over a week, and as of Saturday, 284 paddlefish have been processed at the Intake Fishing Access Site station near Glendive. The estimated harvest for the entire basin was 265 fish.
The high volume of water and rapid flows continue to challenge angler success. By comparison, last year’s harvest season closed in just over three days, when it was anticipated that the harvest cap of 1,000 fish would be met.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminders anglers that anyone harvesting a paddlefish in Montana is required to report it within 48 hours. This is true even if anglers process their own fish. People can meet this requirement by reporting to the processing station at Intake FAS or by calling 1-844-668-5932 or 406-444-5604.
A harvest report should include the angler tag number, jaw tag number (if present), length (eye-tail fork), sex, date of harvest and harvest location. Instructions for reporting should be included when the paddlefish tag is sold.
Anglers not reporting a harvested paddlefish will not be eligible to purchase a paddlefish tag the following year.
paddlefish harvest updates can be obtained by calling the Region 7 office at 406-234-0900, or by visiting the Facebook page at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks – Region 7. There are also updates available on Facebook at Intake Paddlefishing/Yellowstone Caviar.
Anglers also should note that paddlefishing (harvest or catch-and-release) is closed in all yellow tag areas, except Intake FAS, on Sunday, Monday and Thursday. paddlefish harvest days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in all yellow tag areas. For more details, see pages 84-87 of the 2018 fishing regulations.
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