Petranek Pond EA Draft

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout and brown trout. FWP is required to review the potential impacts of issuing a Private Fish Pond License. The pond is located on an ephemeral drainage that feeds into Cottonwood Creek. From there Cottonwood Creek flows into Murphy Coulee, Armells Creek, and eventually the Missouri River near Fred Robinson Bridge. The pond has a manmade dam and collects water from a very small drainage upstream. Cottonwood Creek, Murphy Coulee and Armells Creek do not have Montana State Species of Special Concern present or valuable sportfishing opportunities. Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout would not be able to persist in these streams, so any escapement impacts would be very minimal and short term in duration. During an extreme high flow event there is a slight chance that rainbow trout or brown trout could make it all the way to the Missouri River. There are already other sources of rainbow and brown trout in the Missouri River below Moroney Dam, and any trout escapement from this pond would not be expected to have any additional impacts to the system. The outlet pipe is already screened to prevent escapement.

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: Petranek Pond EA Draft

 

Public Comment Period Begins:  April 12, 2024

Public Comment Period Ends:  5 p.m. MST - April 26, 2024

 

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

Name: Clint Smith, lewistown area fisheries biologist

Email: clsmith@mt.gov

Mailing Address:

PO Box 938

Lewistown, MT 549457