Video of workers killing fish at Cabela's fishing event in Montana event draws concern

KALISPELL, Mont. (KTVM) - A family fishing event at a store in Kalispell left some people concerned after they witnessed employees killing the fish.

The event was hosted at Cabela’s Sunday. Fish were brought in from a hatchery to stock a fishing pool outside the store. A video filmed in front of the store shows employees stomping fish on the pavement following the event.

WARNING: Video may be considered too graphic or disturbing for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

WARNING: Video may be considered too graphic or disturbing for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Bass Pro Group, Cabela’s parent company, said the actions in the video do not align with company policy.

“These actions reflect a clear violation of our policies and procedures for animal care, which are based on the highest professional standards and a deep respect for wildlife,” Bass Pro Group director of communications Jack Wlezien wrote in an email to NBC Montana. “We’re taking the appropriate action to ensure it does not happen again.”

There are rules dictating what to do with fish following an event like the one at Cabela’s. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 spokesman Dillon Tabish didn’t comment on the actions in the video, but he did explain the regulations.

“The fish cannot be removed from the tank alive,” Tabish said. “You have to euthanize the fish before they’re removed from that tank.”

The fish cannot be released into another body of water.

“We have these aquatic ecosystems intact,” Tabish said. “We don’t want to have fish brought in and dropped into a lake or stream that could disrupt that habitat and disrupt the food chain.”

FWP has recommendations for any anglers when harvesting a fish.

“We recommend humane euthanization with blunt force trauma to the head,” Tabish said. “You just hit them on the head as quickly as you can.”