Bowman Lake fishermen should be aware of closure

Anglers may want to take note of a new fishing regulation in Bowman Lake in Glacier National Park.

An area extending 400 yards from the shore between the Bowman Lake Ranger Station and the outlet of Bowman Lake will be closed to fishing from May 1 to June 15 to protect congregating westslope cutthroat trout.

The trout spawn in the creek. All cutthroat trout west of the Continental Divide caught in Glacier Park are subject to catch and release fishing. However, two cutthroat trout may be harvested from Hidden, Evangeline and Camas lakes. All other lakes in Glacier Park are open to fishing all year long.

The standard fishing season for all waters in Glacier Park other than the lakes is from the third Saturday in May through Nov. 30, with the following exceptions:

• Waterton Lake catch and possession limits are the same as set by Canada.

• Lower Two Medicine Lake catch and possession limits are set by the Blackfeet Nation.

• Hidden Lake outlet creek and an area extending into Hidden Lake for a radius of 300 feet is closed to fishing during the cutthroat spawning season in order to protect spawning cutthroat trout and to reduce the potential for bear-human conflicts.

• When fishing on the Park side of the North Fork of the Flathead River, Glacier Park’s catch and possession limits and other Park fishing regulations are applicable.

• When fishing from Park lands or bridges along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, a Montana fishing license is required and state regulations are applicable.