By Josh Margolis
HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Fish stocking in area water bodies is continuing as the weather warms.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Havre Area Fisheries Biologist Cody Nagel says rainbow trout have been stocked in small ponds and reservoirs in the area.
Nagel says within the next few weeks, walleye fingerlings will begin to be stocked in area reservoirs, including Fresno. Stocking levels will be similar to previous years, although this is the first time Fresno is set to receive walleye fingerlings since 2011.
“It’ll just help supplement the walleye population that’s naturally reproducing in there. It’ll help build bigger numbers of fish out there to be caught and enjoyed by anglers.”
Later this summer, largemouth bass will be stocketd in some area waterbodies.
Nagel is a member of the Fresno Reservoirs Fisheries Management Plan Working Group, which is continuing work on preparing a draft fisheries management plan, the first in the Reservoir’s history.
“It’s been a great working group, a great bunch of folks to work with. It’s been very productive, a lot of back and forth listening and coming together really, on what’s best for the future of Fresno. We’re hopeful to have a draft plan out for public review here in the next couple of months, and we’ll make people aware of that opportunity and hopefully, the goal is to have a plan in place by next year. That’s going to look at all aspects – game fish, forage, habitat, access – kind of everything that recreationists, anglers and folks care about out there at Fresno.”
Once the draft plan is released, there will be ample time for public comment. Once finalized, the Plan will guide management of the fishery from 2022-2026.
