Fish Wildlife and Parks reported closure of paddlefish harvest on the Upper Missouri River from Fort Benton to Fort Peck Dam starting 12 noon tomorrow Sunday May 12, 2013. Here is the full press release:

This harvest closure means that in this section of the Missouri River, paddlefish can only be caught and released for the remainder of the 2013 season. The catch-and-release season will remain open through June 15, 2013. Proof of purchase of a white paddlefish tag on the anglers fishing license is required for catch-and-release fishing in this section. Legal hours for catch-and-release fishing for paddlefish are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The paddlefish harvest quota for this paddlefish population is 500 fish. As of May 10th, a total of 351 paddlefish had been harvested.  Projected harvest rates on Saturday andSunday are anticipated to meet or exceed the 500 fish quota.  FWP has the authority to close the paddlefish harvest season within 24 hours when conditions warrant.

—FWP—