FWP is seeking comments from the public on a set of recommendations for commercial-use and recreation management on the Madison River, one of the most popular fisheries and recreation destinations in the state.  

The recommendations were developed by a 12-person work group representing a variety of interests that the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission tasked with looking at management solutions for commercial use and recreation on the Madison.

The work group finalized its recommendations in May and presented them to the commission in June. Instead of initiating rulemaking, the commission then directed FWP to seek comments from a broader public on the recommendations for a longer comment period than the rulemaking process requires. FWP will report back to the commission on Dec. 16.

Recommendations

Commercial Recommendations

• Commercial Management Recommendations, June 2022 (PDF)

• Opportunities for New Entry for River Service Providers and Outfitting Financial Models, June 2022 (PDF)

• Commercial Trips ARM Recommendations (PDF)

• Commercial Watercraft Rental Delivery - Final Recommendations, April 2022 (PDF)

• Economic Implications of Madison River Commercial Limit Options, April 2022 (PDF)

Non-Commercial Recommendations

• Non-Commercial Final Recommendations, May 2022 (PDF)

• Vessel Requirements on Upper on Upper River Final Recommendations, May 2022 (PDF)

• Bear Trap Canyon Float Permit Final Recommendation, May 2022 (PDF)

Supplemental Information

• Madison River Historical SRP Summaries, April 2022 (PDF)

• FWP Staff Assessment on Work Group Recommendations (PDF)

Public Meetings

FWP staff will also host several meetings to share information about the recommendations and answer questions. Comments on the recommendations won’t be recorded at the meetings, but attendees will be given information on how to submit comments. Meetings will be in the following locations, each beginning at 6 p.m.:

• Sept. 6: Bozeman Comfort Inn, 1370 N. 7^th Ave.

• Sept. 7: Ennis Elementary School cafeteria, 223 Charles Ave.

• Sept. 8: West Yellowstone Convention and Visitors Bureau, 30 Yellowstone Ave.

• Sept. 13: Butte - Montana Tech Student Union Building in Butte, 1300 W. Park St., room 204

• Sept. 14: Virtual meeting via Zoom - Watch Recordin

Public Comment

Deadline: Public comments had to be subitted by Oct. 14, 2022