The Enduring History of Paddle fishing in Montana

Montana’s vast, free-flowing rivers, particularly the Yellowstone and the Missouri, are home to a true leviathan of the freshwater world: the American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula). This ancient species, often referred to as a "living fossil" due to its lineage stretching back millions of years, has played a unique role in the ecological and human history of the state. While not historically targeted with the same intensity as trout or other game fish in the early days of Montana Territory, the paddlefish gradually emerged to support a distinctive and highly anticipated recreational fishery, a legacy shaped by natural cycles, human intervention, and evolving conservation ethics. The history of paddlefishing in Montana is a tale of discovery, adaptation, and the ongoing effort to balance human pursuit with the preservation of a remarkable species.

For centuries, paddlefish silently navigated the silty currents of Montana's major river systems, their presence largely unnoticed or, at best, a peripheral part of the riparian ecosystem from a human perspective. Early accounts and biological surveys acknowledge the existence of paddlefish in the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, but they were not initially the focus of concentrated fishing effort. Native American tribes inhabiting these regions undoubtedly interacted with paddlefish, utilizing the abundant resources of the rivers. While specific historical documentation of systematic tribal paddlefishing in Montana is less readily available in broad historical surveys, the interconnectedness of tribal cultures with the natural world suggests a traditional awareness and potential opportunistic use of this large fish when available, particularly during spawning runs when fish might have been more accessible. However, the dominant narrative of paddlefish fishing in Montana's recorded history centers around the development of a unique recreational pursuit.

The construction of major dams in the mid-20th century profoundly altered the dynamics of the Missouri River basin and, inadvertently, set the stage for the modern Montana paddlefish fishery. The closure of Garrison Dam in North Dakota in 1953, forming Lake Sakakawea, had a significant impact on the downstream Yellowstone River paddlefish population, often referred to as the Yellowstone-Sakakawea stock. This impoundment created a vast reservoir that served as prime habitat for adult paddlefish, while the remaining free-flowing sections of the Yellowstone and the Missouri below Fort Peck Dam remained crucial for spawning migrations.

It was in the early 1960s that paddlefish began to capture significant attention in Montana, particularly along the lower Yellowstone River near Intake. A notable increase in paddlefish abundance and concentrated spawning runs below the newly impounded waters of Lake Sakakawea drew the notice of anglers. Unlike fish that bite baited hooks, paddlefish are filter feeders, consuming vast quantities of zooplankton by swimming with their large mouths open. This feeding strategy makes traditional angling methods ineffective. As a result, a specialized technique known as "snagging" became the primary method for harvesting these fish. Snagging involves using large, weighted treble hooks to essentially “snag” the fish as they congregate in predictable areas during their spawning runs.

The nascent paddlefish snag fishery at Intake quickly gained popularity. The thrill of hooking into a powerful, large fish, combined with the communal atmosphere of anglers gathering along the riverbanks during the brief spawning season, fueled its growth. Early participation was relatively informal, but as the number of anglers increased, so did the need for management and regulation. The Montana Department of Fish and Game (now Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, or FWP) began to recognize the need to monitor this burgeoning fishery to ensure its sustainability.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the Montana paddlefish fishery, particularly the Yellowstone River snag fishery at Intake, evolved. FWP implemented regulations to manage harvest, including establishing specific seasons, setting daily and seasonal bag limits, and eventually requiring the use of a gaff to land fish after snagging, a practice aimed at reducing stress on released fish. The unique nature of the fishery and the species also necessitated ongoing research to understand paddlefish populations, migration patterns, and the impacts of fishing pressure and habitat alterations. Studies on age structure, recruitment, and movement became essential components of managing the resource effectively (Scarnecchia et al. 1996).

While recreational snagging flourished, large-scale commercial fishing for paddlefish in Montana did not develop to the extent seen in some other states within the Mississippi River basin. Historically, commercial harvest elsewhere often targeted paddlefish for their meat and, increasingly in the 20th century, for their roe, which could be processed into caviar. However, Montana's management approach focused primarily on the recreational opportunities provided by the species, and commercial harvest was generally not permitted, a factor that likely contributed to the health and stability of Montana's paddlefish populations compared to those in areas subjected to intensive commercial exploitation (Scholten 2012).

The management of paddlefish in Montana, particularly the Yellowstone-Sakakawea stock, became a cooperative effort with North Dakota, as the fish migrate between the Yellowstone River and Lake Sakakawea. This interstate cooperation has been crucial in developing synchronized regulations and sharing research to ensure the long-term health of the shared population (Scarnecchia et al. 2008).

The paddlefish fishery in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Dam represents a distinct population, often referred to as the Fort Peck stock. This population is isolated from the Yellowstone-Sakakawea stock by the dam. A separate snag fishery exists for this stock, primarily near the Fred Robinson Bridge. Like the Intake fishery, this area attracts anglers during spawning runs, and it is managed with its own specific regulations and harvest quotas to reflect the characteristics and size of this isolated population (Glassic et al. 2020).

Over time, regulations have continued to adapt to address conservation concerns and improve angler experience. Changes have included modifications to the lottery system for tags in certain areas, adjustments to harvest quotas based on population assessments, and rules regarding the reporting of harvested fish. More recent regulatory changes reflect an ongoing commitment to the welfare of the fish, such as the requirement for barbless or pinched hooks and limitations on the use of certain sonar technologies that could potentially allow anglers to unfairly target larger, often female, fish critical for reproduction (Montana FWP 2025).

The cultural significance of paddlefishing in Montana extends beyond just the act of catching a fish. For many participants, it is an annual tradition, a chance to gather with family and friends along the river, to experience the raw power of these ancient creatures, and to connect with a unique part of Montana’s natural heritage. The anticipation of the spring paddlefish run, the camaraderie at the snagging sites, and the shared experience of this unusual fishery are deeply ingrained in the culture of the regions where it occurs (Scarnecchia and Stewart 1996).

However, the history of paddlefishing is also intertwined with conservation challenges. Paddlefish are long-lived and slow to mature, making them vulnerable to overharvest. Habitat degradation, altered flow regimes due to dams, and the potential impacts of climate change all pose ongoing threats to paddlefish populations. Consequently, the management of this fishery remains a delicate balancing act, requiring continuous monitoring, adaptive regulations, and public education to ensure its sustainability for future generations.

In recent decades, research efforts have intensified to better understand paddlefish ecology, genetics, and habitat needs. Projects involving tagging, tracking, and population modeling provide essential data for informing management decisions. The goal is not only to maintain a viable recreational fishery but also to ensure the long-term survival of the species in a changing environment (Glassic et al. 2020).

The history of paddlefishing in Montana is a dynamic narrative, reflecting the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. From an unnoticed resident of the rivers to the focus of a highly anticipated recreational season, the paddlefish has carved out a unique niche in Montana’s angling landscape. The development of specialized fishing techniques, the implementation of adaptive management strategies, and the ongoing commitment to conservation all underscore the value placed on this remarkable “living fossil.” As Montana looks to the future, the continued health of its paddlefish populations and the perpetuation of the paddlefishing tradition will depend on sound science, effective management, and the continued stewardship of the state's vital river systems.

Sources

Glassic, A. S., C. S. Guy, A. D. Lotong, and A. J. D’Angelo. 2020. Fort Peck paddlefish population survival and abundance in the Missouri River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40(3): 559–571.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 2025. 2025 Montana Fishing Regulations. Helena, MT: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Scarnecchia, D. L., and P. A. Stewart. 1996. Profile of recreational paddlefish snaggers on the lower Yellowstone River, Montana. 

North American Journal of Fisheries Management 16(4): 872–879.

Scarnecchia, D. L., P. A. Stewart, and G. J. Power. 1996. Age structure of the Yellowstone-Sakakawea paddlefish stock, 1963–1993, in relation to reservoir history. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 16(2): 291–301.

Scarnecchia, D. L., P. A. Stewart, Y. Lim, and P. J. Gilge. 2008. Management of the Yellowstone-Sakakawea paddlefish stock: a case history. In Paddlefish: History, Ecology and Management, edited by C. L. Churchill, S. J. Zigler, M. R. Dewey, B. T. Johnson, and T. J. Goeman, 251–266. Bethesda, MD: American Fisheries Society.

Scholten, G. D. 2012. Management of Commercial Paddlefish Fisheries in the United States. Fisheries 37(7): 291–300.