06-04-2008, 11:10 AM
With Montana's paddlefish harvest quota expected to be reached, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission agreed today to close the 2008 paddlefish harvest season on the Yellowstone River and the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam on Saturday, May 31, 2008 at 9 p.m.
<br>The 2008 paddlefish season started slow and increased steadily when high water flows occurred due to rainfall and some snowmelt. Montana paddlefish harvest quota is 1,000 fish and at the present rate of catch, the quota will be reached or surpassed in the immediate future. "With the increased flows we are seeing 100-150 or more paddlefish being caught in a single day," said Brad Schmitz, FWP's fisheries manager in Miles City.<br>
<br>CATCH-AND-RELEASE PADDLEFISHING WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY AT INTAKE FISHING ACCESS SITE FROM 6 AM - 9 PM, BEGINNING ON SUNDAY, JUNE 1 THROUGH TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008.
<br>The 2008 paddlefish season started slow and increased steadily when high water flows occurred due to rainfall and some snowmelt. Montana paddlefish harvest quota is 1,000 fish and at the present rate of catch, the quota will be reached or surpassed in the immediate future. "With the increased flows we are seeing 100-150 or more paddlefish being caught in a single day," said Brad Schmitz, FWP's fisheries manager in Miles City.<br>
<br>CATCH-AND-RELEASE PADDLEFISHING WILL BE ALLOWED ONLY AT INTAKE FISHING ACCESS SITE FROM 6 AM - 9 PM, BEGINNING ON SUNDAY, JUNE 1 THROUGH TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008.