HELENA – Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Walleyes Unlimited of Montana want to remind walleye anglers to keep more of the smaller fish they catch on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. With fewer small fish in the reservoir, larger fish will face less competition for food and will have the opportunity to grow.
The first walleye in Canyon Ferry Reservoir was captured in 1989 during rainbow trout fall netting. Since then, walleye have become a very popular target species in the reservoir. Walleye populations in Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter reservoirs are self-sustaining, or not supplemented through stocking, and require intensive active management to maintain a balanced fishery.
Current walleye fishing regulations on Canyon Ferry allow for 10 fish daily, with only 1 over 15 inches, and a possession limit of twice the daily limit. This management strategy focuses on keeping smaller size fish in check to benefit the overall population size structure.
"By focusing harvest on more abundant, smaller fish, biologists hope to increase the number of large walleye in Canyon Ferry," said FWP Fish Chief Adam Strainer. "FWP and Walleyes Unlimited have a shared goal of maintaining a healthy walleye fishery for anglers to enjoy now and into the future."
"I'm encouraged by the current walleye population trend on Canyon Ferry," said Dale Gilbert, a Walleyes Unlimited of Montana member. "Walleye size in Canyon Ferry is improving with the current management strategy, so anglers must do their part by keeping more walleye under 15 inches to ensure the population remains on its current, positive trajectory".
Under the 2020–2029 Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan, active walleye management — such as liberal fishing regulations — could be necessary to meet management goals. Those goals are intended to maintain walleye abundance to reduce impacts to other species while maintaining desirable size classes in the walleye fisheries.