FWP Seeks Information Regarding Possible Illegal Introductions

Fisheries management of northeast Montana’s ponds and small reservoirs can be a challenge. Habitat limitations, excess nutrient input from multi-use practices, and extreme winter and summer conditions can all negatively impact these biologically and recreationally important fisheries. In addition to these challenges, illegal fish introductions are a pervasive issue that further complicate management.

Whether done intentionally or by accident, it is illegal to move or introduce live fish from one waterbody to another, or to release unwanted bait fish into surface water. These laws were created due to concern of introducing aquatic invasive species (AIS) and because it could greatly disrupt an established fishery.

In 2024, illegal fish introductions were discovered at Home Run Pond (common carp, fathead minnow) and Lower Glasgow Base Pond (northern pike) by FWP fisheries staff and members of the public. Since 2021, introductions at Flat Lake Pond (common carp) and Paulo Reservoir (channel catfish, yellow perch) have also been discovered.

“Not only does the ecosystem suffer when fish are illegally introduced to a new body of water, but social and recreational opportunities are lost as well,” said FWP fisheries biologist Jared Krebs.

“While anglers may think they are creating an additional angling option by introducing a new species, the most probable outcome is an unhealthy fishery and a decrease in catch rates of desired species,” added Krebs.

Illegal fish introductions generally result in an unbalanced food web, a significant decrease in water quality and habitat conditions, or both.

The recent discovery of common carp in Home Run Pond is particularly disappointing, as a multi-week drawdown was conducted in fall of 2023 to remove common carp and other undesirable species, in hopes that fish survival and angler catch rates would improve.

“Home Run Pond has suffered numerous fish kills recently due to poor water quality,” noted Krebs. “Removal of species that contributed to poor water quality would have likely had a positive impact on fish survival and angler success. Now, we are basically back at square one.”

Illegal introductions are taken very seriously by Montana law. Unlawful introductions can bring fines of $2,000 up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to one year. In addition, violators can be held liable for all costs to eliminate or mitigate the effects of the violation. Lastly, violators could lose hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for at least five years.