CSKT outlines fishing regs on tribal lands

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe officials have shared information regarding fishing on tribal lands.

The CSKT Tribal Council resolution passed on March 31, 2020 to temporarily suspend recreation on tribal lands to non-residents of the Flathead Indian Reservation is still in place, until further notice.

This resolution also restricts residents of the Reservation to Day-use recreation only.

The Flathead Indian Reservation encompasses more than 400 miles of fishing streams and 70,000 acres of lakes. Fishing is open on lakes, ponds, potholes, and reservoirs all year.

The Flathead and Jocko Rivers are also open to fishing the entire year, with additional restrictions (see current regulations). The Tribal Fisheries Program reminds the public that fishing on streams, canals and ditches is not open until the third Saturday in May through Nov. 30, each calendar year.

This delay is to protect fish that are staging and spawning in select tributaries.

For community residents who chose to recreate on Tribal Land, Tribal conservation permits are required for individuals 12 years of age and older.

Also, tribal officials have made no decisions on whether the Mack Days Tournament will resume.

“Our Tribal Council is meeting this week to discuss and decide stipulations,” said Stephanie Gillin, Information & Education Program Manager for the CSKT Natural Resources Department.

Fishing permits are also required for non-member residents 14 years of age and older and both can be purchased on-line at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website at www.fwp.mt.gov.

Remember that bears and other wildlife use riparian areas as travel corridors.

One of the best ways to ensure safety is to travel in a group of three or more

people and make noise. Make loud noise especially when in dense brush or near running water where surprise bear encounters are likely to take place.

Proper use of bear spray has proven to be the best and most effective method

for fending off threatening and attacking bears, and for preventing injury to the person and animal involved.

Please see the current regulations for additional regulations.

For more information, contact the Natural Resources Department at 406-883-2888.