GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is again asking the person responsible for putting plastic zip ties into the jaws of Missouri River walleye to stop.
A press release says that the illegal practice first came to light a year ago, when FWP fisheries biologists discovered two more walleyes with zip ties in their jaws, including one that has cased an open sore in the fish’s jaw. The walleye were found in the Wolf Creek Bridge to Craig section of the Missouri.
FWP Region 4 fisheries biologist Jason Mullen says, “We don’t put jaw tags in fish anymore because it causes damage. Whoever is doing should stop. It confused the public, making people think FWP is putting the plastic jaw tags out. We are not. But some anglers might catch and keep a fish they normally wouldn’t, because they thing we want the information or there is a reward or something.”
