by biologist Cody Nagel
As we approach the third weekend of the 2025 season on the upper Missouri, flows continue to rise slightly and will likely trigger paddlefish to move upstream a little more.
Currently, flows at the Landusky stream gauge are 9400 cfs and paddlefish can be found in areas downstream of Rock Creek campground to the headwaters of Fort Peck (there are more fish starting to get in the FRB area). Find more info on flows here:
I would expect paddlefish to continue to move upstream if the flows continue to increase. So far, snagging activity has been moderate but I expect this to increase more as we approach Memorial weekend.
Note: access roads might be muddy following the rain this week. Please use common sense, be safe, and try not to tear up roads if they are impassable.
Resources:
How to safely (and legally) snag and release paddlefish can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAfCzQDDUxg
Additional paddlefish info can be found on our FWP website: https://fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations/paddlefish
Missouri river flows at Landusky can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/06115200/…
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