FWP Not Banning Bait

Quite a busy week at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks because some folks thought they were banning live bait on Fort Peck and the Missouri. Some clarifications:

A misunderstanding led to the false conclusion that FWP wanted to ban live bait on Fort Peck Reservoir and the Missouri River. You can imagine anglers and all those who make their livings in the fishing business were pretty upset. But the deal is a proposal from the Montana Department of Agriculture is expected to designate two multi-county "invasive species management areas" where the water weed Eurasian watermilfoil is growing. The designation establishes those inspect, clean and dry type checkpoint stations, nothing you haven't seen before. Just making sure boats aren't transporting that nasty stuff from one body of water to another. They will be releasing a report and comment period in April, but for now, toss a worm or two. DB