Peters Private Pond EA

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and westslope cutthroat trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 1.5 surface acres and is located on 230 St. Olaf Church Rd Ledger Rd, MT. The pond is located on coulee that drains into Fowler Coulee near the town of Ledger, MT with no known presence of fish existing in the pond. The pond is fed by overland snow melt and drainage from nearby fields. The outflow and overflow flow into another pond ~300 yds to the south. That pond is currently permitted. The pond is located 2.9 miles from Fowler Coulee Creek which 10.7 miles until it reaches Pondera Coulee, a tributary to the lower Marias.

Most trout species are not native to Pondera Coulee drainage or the lower Marias River however, risk of escapement is low and associated risks are minimal, given existing presence in drainage. Westslope cutthroat trout are native to MT, but conservation populations are not present in drainage, presenting no adverse genetic effects with wild fish. Fish could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or stocking can be stopped to let the fish age out. The project is sponsored by the private landowner and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2024). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term and the license is transferable.

Related Documents: Peters Private Pond License Review 

Public Comment Period Ends: April 20, 2024

Comments must be addressed to the FWP contact, as listed below.

Name: Katie Vivian Fisheries Biologist  

Email: kvivian@mt.gov

Mailing Address: PO Box 1398 Choteau, MT 59422