Missouri River lottery tag application deadline March 30

Paddlefish anglers planning to fish in the Upper Missouri River (From Fort Peck Dam to Fort Benton) will need to apply for an Upper Missouri River Paddlefish Tag. Applications are available to apply by mail, online at fwp.mt.gov, or by stopping by any regional or area FWP offices. Applications must be received no later than March 30, 2017.

For 2017,  1,000 tags will be available for the drawing. Successful applicants may harvest a fish anytime during the season, from May 1 through June 15. The season will not be shortened if more than 500 fish are harvested during the season. Those anglers not successful in drawing a harvest tag will be issued a snag and release only license for the Upper Missouri River. Anglers, both resident and nonresident, are required to purchase a season fishing and conservation license prior to submitting their applications. Party applications (up to five anglers) are available.

Additionally, anglers that did not participate in the tag drawing that want to participate in the snag and release fishery can still purchase an Upper Missouri River Paddlefish Snag and Release License at any FWP office or online beginning April 10, 2017.            

As in the past, anglers may only select one area to fish for paddlefish in Montana: Upper Missouri River (White Tag), Yellowstone River and Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam (Yellow Tag), and the Fort Peck Dredge Cut archery only season (Blue Tag). Any paddlefish harvested anywhere in Montana must be report to FWP within 48 hours of harvest. Mandatory harvest reporting can be completed by calling 1-844-668-5932.