Northern Montana kids Hooked on Fishing

Story and photos by Craig Miller, Wildlife Biologist, Havre Field Office

Third grade students from St. Jude’s Thaddeus Catholic School in Havre and Rocky Boy Elementary School in Rocky Boy Reservation hit the ice February 19.

There was a slight breeze, but the sun was out, and it was 10 degrees warmer at Bear Paw Reservoir than the valley below. Bear Paw Reservoir is also known locally as "Second Lake" or "Upper Lake." Bear Paw Reservoir is part of a Fish, Wildlife and Parks Fishing Access Site inside Beaver Creek County Park south of Havre. There were approximately 50 third grade anglers along with a handful of teachers and parents.

Mark Kloker, the Information and Education Program Manager for Montana FWP Region 6 based out of Glasgow provided a presentation on ice safety and ice fishing techniques to the enthusiastic anglers and then it was a rush to bait hooks with meal worms or corn and drop the bait down predrilled holes. As fishing hotspots were located, more holes were drilled in these “high” action areas.

Hooked on Fishing is sponsored and staffed by Montana FWP and assisted by volunteers from the Fresno Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited and a staff member of the Havre BLM.

During the nearly two hours of fishing, young anglers landed many rainbow trout, as well as a white sucker and a smallmouth bass. Students, parents and volunteers enjoyed the sunny winter weather.

FWP’s Hooked on Fishing program got its start in three Montana classrooms in 1996 and has since expanded to over 200 classrooms across much of the state. About 5,000 Montana students in grades 4-6 participate in the program each year.