HELENA- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is urging the person or persons who are putting jaw tags in walleye on the Missouri River to stop.
According to a Facebook post from FWP Region 4, game wardens have seen two fish with plastic red zip ties embedded in the jaw. One fish was caught near Cascade, the other, below Holter Dam.
The agency has also received reports of walleye with similar plastic strips in the jaws.
In one case the plastic had grown into the fish’s jaw and created a deformity.
FWP says jaw tags are no longer used because they can damage the fish.
The Facebook post also says the plastic can also confuse anglers who might catch and keep a fish they normally wouldn’t because they might think FWP wants information on the fish or there is a reward for it.
