Montana
A plague of private ponds – the latest threat to Montana's fish and rivers • Daily Montanan
Most Montanans would be surprised to hear there are more than 10,000 private ponds across our state — a state which is internationally known for its sparkling rivers and wild trout fisheries. One might also wonder why Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is approving 200 more private ponds every year – one a day for each working day at the agency.
Yet, those numbers are real as related to a legislative interim committee by Eileen Ryce, the Department’s Fisheries Division Administrator whose job is to regulate the ponds and, more importantly, what fish get put in those ponds.
But it’s tough to regulate when there are hardly any regulations — and when it comes to importing fish for private ponds, Montana’s regulatory structure barely exists. It’s so bad Ryce is justifiably worried that tragedies will ensue as people have fish and the water they’re in shipped in from hatcheries all across the nation — and that happens more than a hundred times a year, not counting illegal shipments.
Simply put, hatcheries are designed for exactly one purpose – to grow as many fish as possible in as quickly as possible. And therein lies the rub. Because hatcheries concentrate far more fish into far less space than any natural river, lake, or stream, they have significant problems with diseases.
Montanans who have been around for awhile will recall the outbreak of whirling disease on Montana’s Upper Madison River a few decades back that wiped out the rainbow trout. But few know that Montana frequently received both fish and eggs from Colorado hatcheries, where biologists knew their hatcheries had whirling disease but believed it was a “hatchery disease” that wouldn’t survive in the wild.
Not only did they continue to plant numerous streams and rivers in Colorado with diseased fish, Montana routinely received both fish and eggs from Colorado hatcheries and planted them in Montana’s waters — including Hebgen Lake, which is directly upstream from the Upper Madison. Just coincidence? Hardly.
So when it comes to private parties buying fish to stock their ponds from out-of-state hatcheries, the chance for diseases such as whirling, or any number of diseases common to hatcheries, is far from minimal. According to the regulations, those hatcheries only have to be inspected annually – and Montana’s private ponds get a license for 10 years between inspections.
Disease, however, is only one of the threats. The other is illegal introduction of species that are not allowed in Montana and are wholly inappropriate to be located near or in the flood plains of our major rivers. Yes, in the floodplain — and Fish, Wildlife and Parks is indeed approving private ponds located in the flood plain, as well as outflows and groundwater connected to streams and rivers.
It would be great to say Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is so competent that none of these threats will materialize. But one only need to look at the agency’s introduction of mycis shrimp into Flathead Lake that wiped out the once abundant salmon fishery and completely changed the aquatic ecosystem to prove that assumption false.
Agencies make mistakes — and they make a lot more when they don’t even have adequate regulations to follow. Approving “a pond a day” basically ensures Montana’s world-famous rivers will be plagued by disease and illegal species introductions — and in this case, forewarned is not forearmed.
So what can we do? Fish, Wildlife and Parks should put a moratorium on new private pond approvals until a realistic and workable regulatory structure is in place. After all, what’s the rush? There are plenty of rivers and lakes to fish, so why risk the potential for disaster?
The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at March 30, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 30 drawing
19-20-27-36-39, Lucky Ball: 06
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 30 drawing
08-14-20-29, Bonus: 01
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.
Gophers forward, Kadyn Betts, entered the transfer portal on March 19, and it took him less than two weeks to find a new home and commit to Montana.
Let’s go!!!@MontanaGrizBB pic.twitter.com/bF04G91SDQ
— Kadyn Betts (@BettsKadyn) March 30, 2025
Betts joins Frank Mitchell (St. Bonaventure) and Brennan Rigsby (Radford) as the third former Gophers player to find a new home in the transfer portal this offseason. Tyler Cochran is the only other Gophers scholarship player currently in the portal.
Betts was a former three-star recruit in the class of 2022, and he chose Minnesota over top offers from Nebraska, Colorado State and Wyoming. He was never able to find his footing with the Gophers, but he will now bring two years of eligibility and some intriguing potential to the Big Sky Conference.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 25-10 season with a Big Sky Conference tournament title and a NCAA Tournament appearence. Betts will look to find his full potential in Missoula, Monatana next season.
MILES CITY — For 30 years, DeeAnn Sutter has been more than just an art teacher at Custer County District High School—she has been the foundation beneath her students’ biggest moments.
Whether in speech, debate, rehearsals, or performances, her impact has extended far beyond the stage.
“They’re not gonna remember what happened in their math class, they’re not gonna remember what happened in the really cool assembly they had, but I think they’re gonna remember this feeling of accomplishment forever,” said Sutter.
In Miles City, where students have gone on to become architects, writers, teachers, and lawyers, Sutter has played a vital role in shaping their confidence.
“You can conquer your shyness. You can conquer your stage fright. You can conquer your body image.” said Sutter. “Be brave and be unstoppable.”
Hannah Nash, one of Sutter’s first actors, recalled the early days of her mentorship along the theatre’s foyer, where play bills and photographs hung from each year of plays.
“What you see just simply reflected in this relatively short hallway has echoed through 30 years of us,” said Nash, a board member of Barn Players, Inc.
Students and faculty alike recognize Sutter as an institution.
“Much like our faculty, I don’t think I could find a kid who has a bad thing to say about her,” said Chase Breitbach, Sutter’s nephew and the school’s band director. “Most of (her students) would kill for her.”
As generations of students leave the stage and move into new chapters of life, they carry Sutter’s message with them.
“We could all dream of having a legacy like this someday—and I think that’s what she sent us all out into the world to do,” said Nash.
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