Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 12 - FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
Chapter 12.5 - RESOURCE PROTECTION
Subchapter 12.5.5 - Angling Restrictions and Fishing Closures
Rule 12.5.507 - ANGLING RESTRICTION AND FISHING CLOSURE CRITERIA
Universal Citation: MT Admin Rules 12.5.507
Current through Register Vol. 18, September 20, 2024
(1) The department shall use the following criteria to determine whether to implement angling restrictions in streams:
(a) angling pressure as determined by the
department has the potential to contribute to excessive fish mortality;
and
(b) one or more of the
following environmental conditions has been determined by the department to
exist:
(i) in nonnative salmonid streams
designated by the department in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, daily
maximum water temperatures equal to or exceeding 73 degrees Fahrenheit at any
time during the day for three consecutive days;
(ii) in cutthroat trout streams designated by
the department in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, daily maximum water
temperature equal to or exceeding 66 degrees Fahrenheit at any time during the
day for three consecutive days;
(iii) in bull trout streams designated by the
department in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, a daily maximum water
temperature equal to or exceeding 60 degrees Fahrenheit at any time during the
day for three consecutive days;
(iv)
stream flows fall to or below the 5th percentile of daily mean values for this
day flow level based upon hydrologic records for that water body; or
(v) water conditions meet the criteria for
angling restrictions as stated in a drought management plan;
or
(c) other biological
or environmental conditions such as, but not limited to, water body pollution,
disease, or concentration of angling pressure due to other restrictions or
closures that the department determines have the potential to contribute to
excessive fish mortality.
(2) A fishing closure may be implemented when:
(a) conditions of (1) develop or
degrade;
(b) dissolved oxygen is
equal to or less than 4 ppm when measured in the early morning before sunrise;
or
(c) water conditions meet the
criteria for fishing closures as stated in a drought management plan.
(3) An angling restriction or fishing closure may be delayed or may not be implemented by the department if closure criteria are forecast to be met for a short duration.
AUTH: 87-1-301, MCA; IMP: 87-1-301, MCA
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