Future Fisheries Improvement Program Grant

The goal of FWP’s Future Fisheries Program is to restore rivers, streams and lakes to improve Montana’s wild fish habitat. Entities can receive funding for qualifying projects that benefit Montana’s wild fish. Each project is assessed by an independent review panel and final funding decisions are made by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Talk to your regional fisheries biologist about your project idea prior to filling out an application. Contact the Future Fisheries Coordinator at (406) 444-2432 or email FWPFFIP@mt.gov if you are not sure whom to contact.

Applicants must demonstrate benefits to the public and accomplish one or more of the goals listed below:

Improve or maintain fish passage

Restore or protect naturally functioning stream channels or banks

Restore or protect naturally functioning riparian areas

Prevent loss of fish into diversions

Restore or protect essential habitats for spawning

Enhance stream flow to improve fisheries

Restore or protect native fish populations

Improve fishing in a lake or reservoir

Restore or protect habitat for wild fish populations in other ways

When completing an application, please be sure to include:

A plan-view map of the project site showing specific location(s) of planned restoration activities.

At a minimum, a support letter from the landowner (if the applicant differs from the landowner).

A statement or letter or support from the local FWP fisheries biologist.

A statement clearly identifying, under Section III.D. of the application, whether the recreational public will have unregulated access to the project site.

A clear and detailed project budget. Only budgets entered onto the Budget Template are accepted.

Budgets must clearly identify matching contributions by contributor, type (cash or in-kind services/materials), total amount, and whether or not funds have been secured or verified. Matching contributions are encouraged and make an application much more competitive.

In-kind services or wages of government agency personnel will not be considered as match.

Please include an explanation of how in-kind labor was calculated (e.g., hours and hourly rate used).

Check the math – Total project cost must equal the sum of the FFIP grant request and the total amount of matching contributions.

Project applications should include a preliminary design, unless a design/build is approved. An engineered design can be helpful, but other design types may be acceptable.

Applications involving installation of riparian fencing must ensure the project does not adversely affect wildlife species. Fencing guidelines are described in: Future Fisheries Fencing Guidelines.

Applications for water salvage or in-stream flow leasing must include completion of the Supplemental Questionnaire for Water Leasing or Water Salvage Projects.