tion, and he will become an even more valuable figure. Emphasis is 

 now switching from detection to prevention. Prevention is brought 

 about mainly, through a sound, practical fact-finding program to 

 determine which laws and regulations are really needed, and through 

 a sound, effective educational program aimed at enlightening the 

 public to the need for the laws and regulations. 



Creation Of New Waters 



Montana has been greatly blessed in aquatic resources, but these 

 waters are not evenly distributed over the state. In past years, 

 large areas of new water have been created in the more arid portions 

 of the state and have brought fishing to localities where fishing was 

 not known. These impoundments have been built, however, for pur- 

 poses other than fishing, usually for irrigation or for stock water. 



Because of their primary purpose, they are often not well suited 

 for fish and management of them is difficult. If these waters, and 

 particularly those intended for stock water, had been designed for 

 their basic use plus recreation, most of them could have been good 

 fishing reservoirs. 



The Commission intends to encourage the construction of ponds 

 and reservoirs specifically for fish, designed and managed for this 

 purpose, but not at the expense of valuable stream fisheries. 



In addition, the Commission is planning to construct dams in 

 areas lacking any or adequate fishing opportunities. Since these are 

 expensive, the Commission can proceed only as funds are available. 

 These impoundments will be specifically designed for fish. They will 

 be landscaped and provided with facilities for highest aesthetic values 

 in recreational fishing and will be managed to provide the maximum 

 in fishing. ^ 



Habitat Improvement 



Throughout this section on "General Fisheries Management," no 

 mention was made of the management measure of stream and lake 

 habitat improvement. This is a management tool that Montana may 

 some day use. But right now Montana is wealthy in recreational 

 fi.shing opportunities. 



Its wealth is in its aquatic habitat, in its watersheds, and in 

 its waters. These can be preserved easily and readily. Habitat im- 

 provement is costly and relatively ineffective. It is hoped that efforts 

 will be directed so that Montana will not be forced from dire poverty 

 in natural resources into habitat improvement which is no more 

 than rebuilding what has been destroyed. 



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