Glendive, Montana

One of the great things about traveling so much is finding out something REALLY unique about a place.

It happens a lot, but Glendive’s 45 day paddlefish season takes the top prize on our trip so far.

Each year 4000 fisherman descend to Glendive in mid-May. From there they make a 15 mile trip north on the Yellowstone River to Intake Diversion Dam to fish for paddlefish.

Anglers snag the prehistoric looking fish because the fish won’t take bait–they are filter feeders.

A 142 pound fish caught in 1973 holds the record. Most range from 70 to 90 pounds.

In order to prevent over fishing, the state limits the count of fish caught to 1000. The 2013 season lasted ten days because the limit was caught that quickly.

The Glendive Chamber of Commerce collects the roe (eggs) from the fishermen who donate it after volunteers clean the fish for them. Workers process the roe into Yellowstone Caviar which is sold commercially.

Thirty percent of the net proceeds fund paddlefish research. The rest funds historical, cultural, and recreational projects in Eastern Montana.

Almost a million dollars had been raised in 20 years to fund over 450 grants.

(Information taken from the 2014 Glendive, Montana Visitor and Relocation Guide.)