Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 87. FISH AND WILDLIFE

CHAPTER 4. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES

Part 6. Fish Ponds, Seining, and Commercial Taking of Aquatic Fish Food Organisms

Term Of Fish Pond License -- Fees -- Site Inspections -- License Not Transferable -- Exception For Transfer

87-4-606. Term of fish pond license -- fees -- site inspections -- license not transferable -- exception for transfer. (1) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), a fish pond license issued pursuant to 87-4-603 is valid for 10 years.

(2) There is a $10 application fee and a $10 renewal fee for each fish pond license.

(3) (a) Except as provided in subsections (3)(b) and (4), a fish pond license expires on February 28 of the 10th year succeeding the year of issuance or renewal.

(b) A licensee who sells fish or eggs under 87-4-603 shall renew the license annually. The license expires on February 28 of the year succeeding the year of issuance.

(c) An application for renewal must be made before a license expires. The department shall renew the license if the licensee has not violated any condition upon which the license was granted and if the licensee has met all of the requirements governing private fish ponds in 87-4-603 and this section.

(4) A new license is required when a licensee proposes to plant a new species or stock a pond not designated in the original license.

(5) (a) Except as provided in subsection (5)(b), a fish pond license granted under 87-4-603 is not transferable.

(b) If ownership or control of the private fish pond changes, the new owner or operator shall apply to the department for a license transfer. The transfer must be approved by the department before the new owner or operator may continue operation of the private fish pond.

(c) A transferred license retains the remaining portion of the original license's term.

History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 376, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 157, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 277, L. 2019.