Officials from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks are asking anglers to donate harvested lake trout to local food banks. While some anglers are aware of this option for their caught fish, according to a press release from FWP, “one of the big stumbling blocks to angler donations is knowing where the food banks are, when they are open and how they want fish delivered.” In the following release, FWP officials have included all of that information.
Here’s the full press release:
Fish, Wildlife & Parks is teaming up with area food banks to harvest lake trout from Flathead Lake and get them donated to area food banks to help those that would appreciate a fresh fish dinner. Anglers who participate are assisting in the management of lake trout in Flathead Lake. One of the big stumbling blocks to angler donations is knowing where the food banks are, when they are open and how they want fish delivered. The attached handout answers that. As an additional incentive, when anglers donate Flathead lake trout to participating food banks the angler will get a ticket for each fish delivered. In the fall and spring FWP will gather the tickets and do a random draw to award fishing equipment and gift certificates to lucky anglers.
Name of Food Bank, Address, Phone Number and Proper Way to Bring in Fish:
-Flathead Food Bank; 105 6th Ave. W Kalispell, MT 59901; (406) 752-3663; cleaned and frozen
-MT Vet Food Pantry; 1527 Hwy 35 East Kalispell MT 59901; (406) 756-7304; cleaned, fresh or frozen
-North Valley Food Bank; 311 East 1st St. Whitefish MT 59937; (406) 862-5863 or 862-2795; cleaned, fresh or frozen
-Columbia Falls Food Bank; 82 Railroad St. Columbia Falls MT 59912; (406) 892-6576 ; cleaned, fresh or frozen
-Westshore Food Bank; 7150 Hwy 93 S Lakeside MT; (406) 844-2779 or Leslie at 261-4560; cleaned, fresh or frozen
-Polson Senior Citizen; 504 3rd Ave. E Polson MT 59860; (406) 883-4735; cleaned, fresh or frozen
Polson Loaves & Fish; 10 8th Ave. E Polson MT 59860; (406) 883-6864; cleaned, frozen