Independently reported news stories of Montana's people, land, water and wildlife.
Legislators learned Monday that a new aquatic invasive species program would cost at least $10.5 million every two years for the foreseeable future.
Members of Montana’s Mussel Response Team told the Joint Long Range Planning and Natural Resources and Transportation Committee that four parts of the aquatic invasive species program would have to be amped up to limit invasive mussels to the four sites where they’ve been found.
Read MoreMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has put a hit out on introduced walleye in Swan Lake.
At Thursday’s FWP commission meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a regulation requiring anglers to kill any walleye they catch in Swan Lake, report the incident and then turn the carcass in to FWP for analysis.
Read MoreBucket biologists have taken it upon themselves to plant walleye in Swan Lake. Fortunately, two fish were caught, and if the culprits are caught, they could end up paying a hefty fine.
Region 1 Fisheries Manager Mark Deleray said FWP biologists caught the walleye during gill-net sampling last week. Both measured about 17 inches long, and Deleray didn't know how long they'd been there or how many more might be in the lake.
Read More