Remove or combine river sections to simplify restrictions on Silver Creek and its tributaries. Adopt year-round fishing below HW20 bridge.
Rationale
Angling restrictions on Silver Creek and its tributaries are among the most complicated in the state. Fish population monitoring information suggests that the trout community here is relatively stable with many anglers preferring catch-and-release fishing opportunities. Because of the productivity, high natural mortality rates, and high voluntary catch-and-release fishing, proposed changes in angling restrictions are not expected to affect trout populations.
This proposal would reduce the number of sections of different regulations within the mainstem from 4 to 2, while still allowing harvest opportunity downstream of Highway 20 and also retaining the “fly-fishing only” rules upstream of the HW20 Bridge west of Picabo near mile marker 187.2. In addition, Silver Creek’s tributary sections and exceptions would be reduced from 3 to 1 using the trophy-trout rules.
Option A is shown in the map below, showing the simplified number of sections and associated rules.
Options
Option A: Simplify rules and expand fishing opportunity below HW20 (shown in map below):
From HW20 bridge (west of Picabo) downstream to the mouth, open year-round, trout limit 2, none between 12 and 16 inches
From HW20 upstream to Grove/Stalker creeks (except Kilpatrick Pond), adopt the current seasons/limits from the Nature Conservancy Preserve to the whole section (Saturday of Memorial Day – Nov 30)
Kilpatrick Pond remains unchanged with current seasons
Combine tributaries on the Hayspur Fish Hatchery property and those outside the Nature Conservancy Preserve under the same trophy-trout rules
Option B: Keep the current regulations with 5 different sections of Silver Creek, and 3 different sections of Silver Creek Tributaries.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.
Proposal
Remove or combine river sections to simplify restrictions on Silver Creek and its tributaries. Adopt year-round fishing below HW20 bridge.
Rationale
Angling restrictions on Silver Creek and its tributaries are among the most complicated in the state. Fish population monitoring information suggests that the trout community here is relatively stable with many anglers preferring catch-and-release fishing opportunities. Because of the productivity, high natural mortality rates, and high voluntary catch-and-release fishing, proposed changes in angling restrictions are not expected to affect trout populations.
This proposal would reduce the number of sections of different regulations within the mainstem from 4 to 2, while still allowing harvest opportunity downstream of Highway 20 and also retaining the “fly-fishing only” rules upstream of the HW20 Bridge west of Picabo near mile marker 187.2. In addition, Silver Creek’s tributary sections and exceptions would be reduced from 3 to 1 using the trophy-trout rules.
Option A is shown in the map below, showing the simplified number of sections and associated rules.
Options
Option A: Simplify rules and expand fishing opportunity below HW20 (shown in map below):
Option B: Keep the current regulations with 5 different sections of Silver Creek, and 3 different sections of Silver Creek Tributaries.
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.