Fishing log newsletter

24 Pages·2000·1.4 MB·English

by  Montana.Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.Fishing Log Program

Fishing Log Program
Fisheries Information Services
FWP Building MSU Campus
PO Box 173230
Bozeman MT 59717-3230
FISHING LOG NEWSLETTER
ANNUAL EDITION Publication
of:
JANUARY 2000 Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParKs
1997-98 Fishing statistics, pg 12-13 Montana Outdoors photo
UBRARV,.
MONTANASTATE
ARTICLES
3 0864 0014 8496 o
ecosystem represents the endangered species last best
chance at a self-sustaining population in Montana. But the
numbers are deceiving. No pallid spawninghas been found
and the culprit again may be a reservoir: Lake Sakakawea.
"That's what we think," saysJim Liebelt, FWPfisheries
biologist in Fort Peck. "We've found no concrete evidence of
spawning. Noyearling has ever been recovered."
Lastyear, Montana, North Dakota and federal fisheries
biologists released 750 one-year-old pallids at three spots in
the upper Missouri. The fish were raised in a federal fish
hatchery in Gavins Point, S.D. Another 750 pallids were set
free in the Missouri near the Montana-North Dakota state
line and in the lowerYellowstone. Thisyear, a mixture ofone
and twoyearolds will be planted, though fewer fish overall
than in 1998.
Ideally, stocking will build up the pallid population in the
two areas, while preserving and maintainingthe gene pool.
Saving the Pallid Sturgeon: Just don't expect quick results. Female pallids take up to 15
NEW HOPE FOR AN OLD FISH years to reach sexual maturity. That means no one will have
any idea ifthese dinosaurs are reproducing successfully
until theyear 2013. Gentlemen, startyour calendars.
By Bruce Auchly
DINOSAURS Much has been written aboutthe pallid
Let's be realistic. Until lastyear, the future ofthe pallid sturgeon's connection with the dinosaurs. While
sturgeon in the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers looked dim, Tyrannosaurus Rexstrutted about nearly 200 millionyears
lackluster, kind of, well, pallid. There were too few adult fish ago in what is now Montana, pallids swam nearby. Justa
to spawn regularly and reservoirs swallowed up anyyoung thought here but T. Rexis extremely fashionable nowadays,
thatdid hatch. and it's been dead and gone for 50 million years or more.
Imagine the popularity ofthe toothy meat eaters ifthere were
LastAugust, state and federal fisheries officials stocked 50 still lumbering around eastern Montana. Meanwhile, the
1,500 one-year-old pallids in the two rivers. There are still homely pallid still swims near the bottom ofa muddy river.
not enough adult pallids and no evidence ofspawning, but Few people ever see them and fewercare.
the clouds ofextinction have lifted a little.
Anyway, today's popular game fish are evolutionary babies
In the Missouri, there are perhaps 50 adult pallid sturgeons bycomparison. The oldest known trout fossil dates back 50
swimming in the 150-mile stretch ofthe river between the million years. Biologists guess the salmonid family began
mouth ofthe Marias River near Fort Benton and the head of about 100 million years ago.
Fort Peck Reservoir, downstream ofthe Fred Robinson
Bridge. That does not bode well for a self-sustaining For a couple ofhundred million years, the pallid and its
population, explains Bill Gardner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks cousin, the shovelnose sturgeon, didn'tchange and were
fisheries biologist in Lewistown. "Let's say ofthose 50 fish, able to cope with evolution around them. However, man's
25 are males," he says. "Males spawn everyyear. Then there modifications to North America's rivers — dams and
are 25 females. Females spawn every three years. That channelization -- came too fast for the primitive pallid to
means there are about 8 females and 25 males available to adjust. Oddly, the shovelnose in the same waters is doing
spawn in anyyear." just fine, thankyou. No one is sure why, though theories
abound.
One hundred fifty miles ofriver represents an awfully big
stretch for those few fish to find each other and get amorous. Shovelnose may still be prospering because theiryoung
"That's part ofthe problem," says Gardner. "They have too behave differently than those ofpallids. When shovelnose
manyyears when they don't reproduce successfully." spawn the eggs take about a week to 10 days to develop into
larval fry, which look like a couple ofinches ofsewing thread
Fort Peck reservoir is another part ofthe problem. "Fort Peck with two pinheads for eyes. After hatching, the larvae break
has a bad bottom for bottom feeders like pallid sturgeon," free ofthe bottom and begin to drift downstream until they
Gardner says. For newly hatched pallids, a reservoir is a settle again on the river bottom, and therein, apparently, lies
death sentence; they sink in the mud and suffocate. the difference between the successful shovelnose and the
unsuccessful pallid: shovelnose larvae drift for about a week,
Biologists estimate there are 250 pallids in the Missouri pallid larvae drift for 10 to 15 days. On the upper Missouri, a
below Fort Peck -- a 240-mile stretch to the headwaters of drift ofnearly two weeks puts those larvae into Fort Peck
Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota -- and the lower 70 miles reservoir, where they sink and die.
ofthe Yellowstone River. The numbers seem to indicate that
ARTICLES
"The fish that do well in Fort Peck are mid or surface Yet even taking a piece ofthe fin does notalwaysyield a
feeders," Gardner says. "Young paddlefish probably say, born-on date. The older the fish, the more compact the rings,
Yippee, we're in heaven. Young pallids probably sink to the making accuracy questionable, Liebelt says. "Even on
bottom and say, Yuck, what is this muck?" shovelnose, they have done a lot ofaging, and it's not really
accurate once you get past 15 to 20years."
The same occurs below Fort Peck Dam. The Missouri coming
out ofFort Peck is too cold, about 50 degrees, leaving nearly The idea, ofcourse, is to find out when the fish spawned.
50 miles downstream ofthe dam inhospitable to pallid Pallidsyounger than 62 indicate reproduction took place
reproduction. The Yellowstone is warm enough and has no sometime since Fort Peck filled, possibly during high flow
dams or reservoirs. Biologists have identified at least one years of 1964 and 1975. "I think they spawned in 1975,"
possible spawning area in the lowerYellowstone. But at 50 Gardner says. By discovering when pallids spawned
miles upstream ofthe head ofSakakawea, the spot may successfully, Gardner says, it may be possible to duplicate
produceyoung pallids only to have them drift downstream those conditions again, using a dam to release or withhold
and smother in the North Dakota reservoir. water.
AS A SPECIES, pallid sturgeon probably began its Faced with few definite answers, declining pallid populations
inexorable march to extinction in the upper Missouri with and no evidence ofyoung fish, biologists decided to track the
commercial fishing 100 years ago. They were once common hatchery-raised pallids stocked last summer. Ofthe 750
in the Missouri, Mississippi, Yellowstone, Platte, Kansas, stocked in the upper river lastyear, 45 fish had radio
Ohio, Arkansas, Red, Sunflower and Atchafalaya rivers from transmitters implanted. Ofthese, says Garnder, 22 provided
Montana to the GulfofMexico. Outside ofMontana, the only good tracking data. Below Fort Peck, Liebelt's crew followed
rivers pallids are slightly more common in today are parts of 24 transmitting pallids on the Missouri and 25 on the
the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya. The pallid sturgeon was Yellowstone. The radios beeped data for three months before
declared a federally endangered species in 1990. the batteries burned out.
In Montana, the construction ofthe Fort Peck Dam in the Gardner found fish released at the Robinson Bridge didn't
mid-1930s seems to have finally pushed the fish down the drift very far, 5 or 6 miles. Pallids stocked at the mouth of
slope to oblivion. A federal roster ofpallid sightings has 500 the Judith Riverdrifted downstream a few more miles. But
sightings listed in the 1960's, 209 in the 70's, and only 56 in yearling sturgeon released near the mouth ofthe Marias
the 80's. drifted the farthest, some almost 150 miles to the Robinson
Bridge. "And these are yearling fish. They're not helpless like
Because North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea was created 20 larval fry," Gardner says.
years later, in the late 1950s, biologists fear that reservoir
merely reflects Fort Peck ofthe 1970s. Current estimates Gardner concludes that the steeper the river gradient, the
count the pallid population at 250 in the Missouri upstream more the fish have a tendency to drift. "The more the fish
ofLake Sakakawea. "We had 20 more years to degenerate," drift the more I'm convinced it's not a good thing," he says.
Gardner says, comparing Fort Peck to Lake Sakakawea. "Ifthey drifted 150 miles in 3 months they have to be
"Their time is coming." looking for better habitat."
Pallid sturgeons live a long time, perhaps, up to 60 years. So Liebelt's pallids stayed put by comparison, moving no more
it's conceivable the sightings in the 1980s could have been than 6.5 miles upstream and about 4 miles downstream
fish alive when Fort Peck was built. But Gardner believes from the release site on the Missouri. On the Yellowstone,
most ofthe 50 or so adult fish in the river now hatched after the fish didn't move more than 1 1 miles downstream and 8
the reservoir filled. "It's hard for me to believe that all those miles upstream. Measurements taken at the release sites
fish out there are 62 years old," he says. indicate pallids select areas associated with sandy bottoms
in 5 to 6 feet ofwater where the current flows about 2.3 feet
Certainly that's the case with the smallest fish Gardner and per second.
his fisheries crew has found: a 21-pounder, probably 20 to
25years old. Liebelt's team has captured a 19-pound pallid THIS YEARWILL BE a repeat of 1998 with a few important
on the lowerYellowstone and a 15 pounder in the Missouri. twists. First, 2-year-old pallids will be stocked along with 1
It's uncertain how old those fish are because aging pallids is year olds. Second, Gardner will stock pallids near Coal
difficult. Banks Landing not at the mouth ofthe Marias. The river at
Coal Banks is not as steep as at the Marias. Also, some of
Most fish are aged by looking at their scales under a the radio-implanted fish will not start sending out signals
microscope. Each year, the fish adds a ring to its scales, like until the spring of2000. "We want to see what happens to
a tree. Unfortunately sturgeons don't have scales; they have the fish over the winter," Gardner says. "I will also be
skutes or bony plates. Skutes are the sign ofan evolutionary comparing the survival differences between yearlings and 2-
geriatric, evolving about 500 million years ago. Fish scales year-olds."
are much, much younger. "To age pallids," Gardnerexplains,
"you take a piece oftheir pectoral fin, do a cross section on In addition to his regular stocking, Liebelt plans on placing
thatjust like you would a deer tooth and count the rings." about 140 2-year-olds in the lower Milk River to look at that
tributary's role in pallid sturgeon survival.
ARTICLES
For the long term, the key will be learning what event in the
past caused pallids to reproduce. Was it the high wateryears While Meriwether Lewis first recorded the grayling at the
of 1964 and 1975? base ofthe Continental Divide, he could as easily have
observed it during the Corps' portage ofthe Great Falls, at
Ifonly a few dozen were in the river to spawn in 1975, that their encampment at the three forks ofthe Missouri, or at
would explain why the fisheries crews have found so few numerous other places along their route. By the time Lewis
younger fish. The conditions were right but there were too and Clark arrived in Montana in 1805, Arctic grayling had
few fish to have much ofan impact. "With stocking," flourished throughout the headwaters ofthe Missouri for
Gardner says, "the idea is to increase the number offish so more than 10,000 years.
the next time a spawning event occurs there will be more
pallids available to spawn."
Stocking also may help establish a pallid population farther
upstream where they could spawn and have a longer time to
drift and develop primary fins before reaching the unsuitable
lake conditions ofFort Peck. "Ifthe fry are developed enough
to maintain their position in river habitat above the Fort
Peck delta," Gardner says, "theywill find suitable nursery
areas. It they drift past the delta into the reservoir they're
dead meat.."
By man's hand the fish plummeted; by man's hand maybe it
will recover.
AS GOOD GRAYLING SHOULD
By Patrick Byorth
Midsummer found ThomasJefferson's Corps ofDiscovery in
the doldrums. The men were exhausted, suffering the
ravages ofmosquitos, prickly pear, andjagged river rock.
Rations were lean, game and morale dwindling.
Meriwether Lewis split the expedition near Beaverhead Rock,
not far from the present-day town ofDillon. Lewis and a
small contingent set out to find the Shoshone and a route
through the rampart guarding the Pacific; the ailing Captain
Clark was to follow with the bulk ofthe men and supplies. Grayling are intrepid travelers, making long seasonal
migrations to exploit peak conditions for spawning, rearing,
When the two groups reassembled at a place called Camp feeding, and wintering. In the Madison River, for instance,
Fortunate, there was much to celebrate: Sacagawea was grayling historically wintered in the deep pools and springs
reunited with her brother, Shoshone ChiefCameahwait, and ofBeartrap Canyon. Each April, when the Madison burst
Lewis had seen the headwaters ofthe Columbia. A feast, through its icy shroud, they reenacted an ancient6 spawning
pieced together from the meager stores ofthe expedition and ritual. Some headed upstream a few miles to Meadow Creek,
those ofthe river, included westslope cutthroat trout and or spawned in the Madison where it braided through
Arctic grayling, beans and corn, beaver and venison. cottonwood bottoms at the head ofthe canyon. Many
traveled 45 miles to congregate at HorsethiefSprings, where
With a brush dragwoven ofwillow and dogwood, the men stable flows and productive water gave the young a boost.
seined 528 cutthroat and "a douzen ofa white speceis of
trout," orArctic grayling. Thus, among the significant events After spawning, grayling dispersed throughout the basin,
that transpired August 22, 1805, was the first "scientific" some traveling to the food-rich waters ofYellowstone
documentation ofthe grayling. National Park, some turning down-stream to seek other
productive feeding areas. Yearling grayling wandered
The fortunes ofthe Arctic grayling, however, had been cast throughout the upper Missouri, adapting to a variety of
during the Pleistocene epoch thousands ofyears before, habitats in the Jefferson, Ruby, Beaverhead, Big Hole,
when continental ice sheets blanketed North America. Missouri, Sun, Teton, Smith and Gallatin rivers.
Grayling thrived along their margins. When the ice receded
northward, graylingwere left behind like footprints, This wandering lifestyle represented a perfect adaptation to
testimony to the glaciers' retreat. life in the headwaters ofthe Missouri, as long as the rivers
ran free. But as these rivers were harnessed for hydropower
ARTICLES
and irrigation, the fortunes ofthe Arctic graylingchanged. To allay these fears, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
By April of 1903, grayling migrating up the Madison River to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) entered into an
spawn literally swam into a wall: Madison Dam near Ennis. innovative agreement that provides a measure ofcertainty
Oldtimers tell stories ofArctic grayling "stacked up below the that endangered status can be forestalled by significant
dam so thickyou could walk across the river on their backs progress toward recovery. The long range goal is to establish
and not getyour boots wet." five viable, self-sustaining populations offluvial Arctic
grayling throughout the upper Missouri drainage by the year
Settlers took advantage ofthe temporary abundance and 2020. The interim goal is to have at least four reintroduction
took wagonloads home to smoke. But the abundance was efforts underway by December 31, 2000.
short-lived, because the Madison migration route was
severed. The grayling spawning grounds at Horsethief Once again, Montanans find themselves at a crossroads,
Springs met a similar demise under the waters ofHebgen where our history and that ofa native species may either
Reservoir, filled in 1915. By the 1950's, Clark Canyon Dam remain on the same track or part company. Montana Fish,
submerged Camp Fortunate and cut offgrayling travel from Wildlife & Parks and the cooperators in the Arctic Grayling
the Beaverhead to Horse Prairie Creek and the Red Rock Recovery Program are leading the charge to ensure we have
River. a common future.
A longline ofdams, including Canyon Ferry, Ruby, Hauser, While the campaign to reintroduce Arctic grayling is new to
Holterand Toston, provided watervital to irrigators and many people, it has been underway for more than a decade.
supplied electricity to the new residents ofthe upper Using the combined talents offish culturists and geneticists,
Missouri drainage, but left the grayling population managers began developing a fluvial Arctic grayling brood
fragmented. Other challenges-overharvest, introduction of source in the mid-1980s. Over severalyears, wild Big Hole
non-native trout, and habitat changes-contributed to the River grayingwere captured during the spawning run so that
demise ofthe river-dwelling Arctic graylingin a few short eggs could be collected and fertilized.
years ofits centuries-long existence.
Young from each year's spawn were raised to spawning age
But one hardy population ofArctic grayling survived the and backcrossed with the otheryear classes to capture the
onslaught ofdevelopment to remind us ofwhat Montana was genetic diversity existing in the wild population. Brood
like when Lewis and Clark named the rivers. In the upper reserves were established in state and federal hatcheries and
75 miles ofthe river Lewis named the Wisdom, now known in a mountain lake near Ennis.
as the Big Hole, this last population ofriver-dwelling grayling
in the lower 48 states teetered on the edge ofextinction. For Meanwhile, a researcher at Montana State University
a time, fewer than 30juvenile and adultArctic grayling investigated upper Missouri basin streams that were likely
could be found per mile in prime waters nearWisdom. candidates for reestablishment ofArctic grayling
populations. Grayling were experimentally stocked in the
In 1987 the Arctic Grayling Recovery Program was formed to East and West Gallatin rivers and in Cougar Creek in
identify and mitigate factors limiting the population and to Yellowstone National Park. The results were mixed but
establish a brood stock that could be used to restore the promising-the fish survived and grew through several
Arctic grayling to some ofits former range (see "Native on the winters and traveled long distances, as good grayling should.
Brink," July/August 1993). By the mid-1990s, the But the need was clear for long, unimpeded reaches of
restoration program had boosted numbers to over 75 per stream with low densities ofcompetitors.
mile, with increased presence throughout the drainage. The
program was successful because local communities saw Equipped with a genetically representative brood stock, the
value in these native fish and banded together as the Big Arctic Grayling Recover Program launched its first grayling
Hole Watershed Committee to preserve them. reintroduction in the upper Ruby River a fewyears ago. The
first step was approaching the community ofthe Ruby Valley
Additional motivation to cooperate came in the form ofa to openly and honestly consider the risks and benefits of
petition to list the fluvial or river-dwellingArctic graylingas reintroducing a potentially endangered species in their
an endangered species. While the potential impacts of backyard. Understandably, some citizens were initially
listingunder the Endangered Species Act mobilized support suspicious. Wonderfully, they agreed to take a chance.
for the recovery program, it also generated fears that local
control would be lost. Although the Big Hole Arctic grayling The Ruby Riverupstream from Ruby Reservoir offers more
population was now stable, the second component ofthe than 40 miles ofgood Arctic grayling habitat. Indeed, before
recovery program-restoring the graylingto portions ofits the dam was built, Arctic grayling thrived there. One early
historic range-was at risk. Agencies and citizens alike were settler related a memorable trip up the Ruby-the last he
caught in a "Catch-22"-in order to truly recover Arctic enjoyed in a buckboard before resorting to an automobile-
grayling in the upper Missouri and render endangered when he, his father, and a hired man camped under the
species status unnecessary, additional populations would stars near the three forks ofthe Ruby and caught, cooked,
need to be reestablished to buffer the risk ofextinction. and ate Arctic grayling. The deep pools, runs, and gravel
However, few citizens are comfortable with having an bars ofthe upper Ruby still carry the clean, cool water
endangered species introduced into their backyard. sought by this species.
ARTICLES
After careful planning and considering myriad variables,
biologists released 30,000 Arctic grayling fry in the fall of
1997, followed by 10,000 more in 1998, with additional
plants slated into 2000. Within three months ofthe initial
plant, the fingerlings grew an inch and held their ground.
As fluvial Arctic grayling should, they ignored the reservoir
even through harsh winters and stayed in the upper basin.
In April of2000 the first grayling plants will become sexually
mature. Thus, the first Arctic grayling in the Ruby in over
50 years may be hatched in the wild next spring!
Another auspicious event in the annals ofArctic grayling
history took place this summerwhen fish were stocked in
the North and South forks ofthe Sun River upstream from ON THE BOOKSHELF
Gibson Reservoir. The fact that these reintroductions took
place in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas
presented some logistical challenges. Utilizing a FLY FISHINGTHE MOUNTAIN LAKES, by Gary LaFontaine
combination ofpack stock and rubber rafts, biologists GreycliffPublishing Co., P. O. Box 1273, Helena, MT 59624
transported 12,000 young grayling for release in these [phone]; 1998, 190 pages, softcover, $14.95.
pristine rivers this pastJuly. State and federal fisheries In this book acclaimed fly fishing author Gary LaFontaine
biologists will closely monitor thisyear's plants and others shares a summer's angling on mountain lakes, detailing
scheduled through 2002 in hopes ofseeing wild, self- where to find trout and how to catch them. As in his other
sustainingArctic grayling populations develop. works, LaFontaine excels as a thinker and researcher - his
The conspicuous absence ofArctic grayling along the Lewis revelations are often at odds with conventional wisdom, and
and ClarkTrail may be rectified by three additional his insights are likely to changeyour approach to fishing
reintroductions now in planning stages. these waters. Despite LaFontaine's devotion to scientific
At thejunction ofthe Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson rivers study, above all else he likes to have fun fishing, and you'll
atThree Forks, the rivers suffer a variety ofhabitat, have fun going with him to places like Park Lake near
temperature, and flow problems. Trout densities there are Helena, the Hog Hole near his home in Deer Lodge, Cave
low relative to those ofnearby blue-ribbon streams. With Lake in the Crazies, and some remote and hard-to-reach
few competitors and access to miles ofriver in each ofthe high-countryjewels.
forks ofthe Missouri, Arctic grayling may be able to exploit
habitats that will enable them to survive. CLASSIC FRESHWATER FISH COOKING, by Eileen Clarke,
Voyager Press, P.O. Box 338, Stillwater, MN 55082 (800)888-
The section ofthe Beaverhead River lying in the shadow of 9653; 1998, 128 pgs, hard cover, $24.95 & $3.95 shipping.
Beaverhead Rock offers another potential area for grayling Eileen Clarke's book is packed with nearly 100 time-tested,
reintroductions. Unlike the renowned tailwaters ofClark lip-smacking recipes for trout, salmon, walleye, northern
Canyon Reservoir, this reach supports low densities of pike, bass, and more. From "Lemony Stuffed Walleye Rolls"
brown trout. Water releases from the reservoir create a to "TroutAlmondine," these proven recipes from around the
"backwards" pattern, where high flows come in late fall and world will make any dinner a treat. Nicely illustrated with
early winter. This anomaly, along with whirling disease and color photos offish, fishing scenes, and prepared dishes, the
some habitat problems, leaves a gap where grayling may book contains more than recipes. There's good information
thrive (graylingare largely resistant to whirling disease). on freezers and freezing, wrapping and packaging, thawing
Fish stocked here will have access to over 40 miles of (naturally or by microwave), filletingfish, and sharpening
potentially suitable habitat in the Beaverhead, Jefferson, and knives.
lower Ruby rivers.
SEASONS OF THE TROUT: STRATEGIES FORTHEYEAR-
The hue and cry ofcritics is inevitable when attempting any ROUND WESTERN ANGLER, by Neale Streeks, Pruett
action to preserve a species. Some people say there is no Publishing Co., 7464 Arapahoe Rd, Ste A-9, Boulder, CO
point in trying to turn back the clock. Yet, Montanans share 80303 [phone]; 1998, 272 pages, hard cover, $29.95.
a common responsibility to protect and maintain all the The author, a veteran flyfishing guide and instructor,
resources we have been endowed with, notjust the beautiful, provides a seasonal calendar for fishing western waters by
powerful, or popular. Ifwe could ask Cameahwait or Lewis breaking the anglingyear into five seasons: mountain
and Clark how we should treat the Arctic grayling, we believe spring, early summer, high summer, autumn, and winter.
the answer would be, "Treat them with respect." With good For each season, river conditions, trout behavior, hatches,
luck and hard work, Arctic graylingwill again wander the and fishingadvice are presented simply and clearly to help
waters ofthe Missouri, as good grayling should. ease the reader onto the path ofunderstanding. Streeks
points out that most technical books on insect hatches leave
the reader a little stunned with information overload. But
beginning anglers want and need simple, straighforward
information about bugs that will help them catch fish and
learn about trout behavior - that's what this book provides.
.
MONTANA REGIONAL UPDATES
"V the fish in to be mounted. And in July, artangler caught a
ReOgnieon\X, Region •Glasgow 6.34 lb. smallmouth bass from the Flathead River near the
^ **g°nIS,"\ six confluence with the Clark Fork River. Interestingly, the
Ka.i!pell
smallmouths are the result ofan unintentional plant on
• GreatFalls the Flathead Reservation.
i—^ Region
Missoula _r-^~-^"~^
Seven CABINETGORGEANDNOXONRAPIDS DAMS
Region ) V_,> RegionJ
Twcl^~) „ Five
J RTehgri,eoen Ct,I X_B,"."ni>s / MilesCity TcholilsabyoeraartiavlesoprsoacwestshetocormelpilceetnisoenCoafbiantewtoG-oyeragre and Noxon
Rapids dams. The effort was led byAVISTA (formerly
Washington Water Power) which owns the dams. The
effort involved dozens ofgroups and will provide resources
and funding for recreation, wildlife, and fisheries including
REGION ONE KALISPELL native fish restoration, watershed councils, habitat
-
enhancement, fish passage, monitoring, and education
and enforcement. The program also provides offsite
It's been a busyyear in Region 1 where all the biologists funding for the Thompson Riverwhich, coupled with a
are good looking and all the fish are above average. In recently adopted slot limit, should provide a real turn
general, it's been a good yearoffishingand those that around in that fisheries.
chose to chase fins rather than fur or feathers had an
incredible fall. HOOKED ONFISHING, NOTONDRUGSPROGRAM
BULL TROUTGAINS
The other exciting project thisyearwas the continued
growth ofthe "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" school
The good news is that bull trout have shown real gains program and the urban fishing program. The HOFNOD
TachreosFslamtohsetadofsynsotretmh,wewshticMhonbtoatntaomiendtohuetlaisnttfheeweyaeralrys. pFirsohgirnagmacntoivwitiinesvoalrveeswoovrekred1,i2n0t0o 4scthhogorladaecrtsiviitnie6s0ssucchhooalss.
'90s, produced 215 redds which is the second gain in a biology, math, and English. The response is overwhelming
row. This is still less than halfthe spawners in the "good and we now have four part-time coordinators/instructors
old days" ofthe 1980s so we're not out ofthe woodsyet. and dozens ofvolunteers. At the same time we've
The increases are thought to be due to a combination of developed good fishing opportunities in or near towns
angling restrictions, good wateryears which produced through an aggressive stocking program with super
better flows and cleaned spawning gravels, a reduction in support from the hatchery programs. Many ofthe
lake trout, and habitat protection and enhancement. HOFNOD field trips are to these urban/family fishing sites
and we see many ofthe same kids com- lg back on
The Swan drainage redd counts (501) dipped slightly this evenings or weekends, by foot or bicycle, and with Mom,
year but that's not oftoo much concern since we're coming Dad, or Grandpa. We think programs like this will ensure
offa halfdozen years ofrecord counts. The biggest news a brighter future for ouryouth and the future offishing.
is in the upper Kootenai drainage. Biologists counted 849
redds in the Wigwam River in British Columbia alone. ILLEGAL FISHINTRODUCTIONS
There are probably several thousand redds or more in the
whole upper drainage, making this the strongest bull trout Illegal fish introductions continue to show up across the
population in the U.S. The downside to all this is that bull state. This year has turned up reports ofnorthern pike in
trout were listed range-wide so we'll have to wait for other Cooney Reservoir, bluegills in Canyon Ferry, brown trout
populations to catch up. in a Flathead River tributary (Mill Creek), and largemouth
RECORD GAMEFISH CAUGHT bass and northern pike in the Base Trout Pond near
Glasgow. Fathead minnows have suddenly appeared in a
halfdozen ponds in the Clark Fork, Kootenai, and
This year produced four record gamefish in Region 1 Flathead drainages and brown trout appeared in five
Most people think trout and salmon when they think of locations in the Kootenai above and below Libby Dam.
wGlaarcimerorCocouonlt-rwyatbeurtfailslh.buItnoFneebroufatrhyesae8r.e0coirndcsh,w0e.r1e8folbr. mSeavneryalcapsreisvattheeffiisshhpaornedosnhtahveelboeoseen.pHoiusbobnaerdtoRuets,erbvuotirin
pygmy whitefish was taken from Ashley Lake. It smashed near Kalispell was poisoned this fall at a cost of$25,000 to
the existing state record by 0.02 pounds! In March a 36 remove unwanted stunted perch and shiners. And, of
lb., 8 oz. northern pike was caught in a Flathead River course, illegally introduced walleyes have embroiled
Slough. The pike wasjust a pound offthe state record but management ofCanyon Ferry in controversy.
was accepted as the 8 lb. test line class world record by
the Freshwater Fishing Hall ofFame. In June a 8.29 lb. FWP has now documented 345 illegal introductions in 214
largemouth bass was caught from the Many Lakes area waters. Illegal introductions may be the biggest threat
near Bigfork. The young angler didn't realize he'd beaten
facing the future ofyour fishing. Get involved, spread the
the state record by 0.13 lbs. until this fall when he took word, help stop this harmful, wasteful practice.
MONTANA REGIONAL UPDATES
barriers, stream channel alterations, and waterdiversions.
Ongoing fisheries research projects are providingvaluable
information for native species management and
assessment ofanthropogenic impacts. Major telemetry
studieswere completed on westslope cutthroat trout and
bull trout in the Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River, Rock
Creek and the Clark Fork River. Radio telemetry has
allowed biologists to track movements ofmigratory trout
and to identify critical periods and habitats; for example,
the timing and location ofspawning areas in tributaries.
Extensive work at Milltown Dam has documented the
timing, number, and species offish whose migration has
been blocked by the dam. This information highlighted
the necessity for planned fish passage changes at the dam.
Unauthorized fish introductions continue and are one of
the greatest threats to fisheries in Montana. In 1999,
biologists concentrated on impacts ofrecent northern pike
REGION TWO MISSOULA introductions in the Clearwater Chain ofLakes, Milltown
-
Reservoir, and the Clark Fork River. Sampling was
conducted to estimate northern pike abundance and
BITTERROOTRIVER
determine diet, movement patterns and angler harvest.
In 1998 and 1999 we placed radio transmitters in Work continued on improving access for anglers in the
cutthroat trout in the West Fork and main Bitterroot River region. New fishing access sites on the Bitterroot and
near Darby. We found that the Nez Perce Fork is a critical Clark Fork Rivers were pursued, including several sites in
spawning tributary for the upper Bitterroot River even as the popular Alberton Gorge section
far downstream as Darby. Population estimates continue
to show increasing trends in the number ofadult cutthroat REGION THREE BOZEMAN
trout in the River. -
Fishingwas very good on the Bitterroot River in 1999. The YELLOWSTONERIVERATLIVINGSTON
high quality fishing has led to increasing numbers of
anglers. The upper Bitterroot River is the heaviest fished In the Ninth Street section, near Livingston, trout
reach ofriver or. a per mile basis in western Montana. abundance actually increased, reversing a three-year trend
ofpopulation declines (Figure for rainbow trout provided
On the down side, the increasingdevelopment ofthe below). This increase coincides with the re-establishment
Bitterroot Valley is reflected in the large number ofstream ofhabitat features lost duringunusually large floods in
modification applications in the Bitterroot Riverand 1996 and 1997. Apparently, fish that had moved out of
tributaries. Typically the Bitterroot Conservation District this area as a consequence ofchannel modifications
processes the highest number of310 permits in the state. caused by the large floods are returning now that the
channel has had an opportunity to heal.
A whirling disease positive rainbow trout was collected in
the upper Bitterroot. It is the first confirmed case since
sampling began in 1995. Also, goldfish have been found in
several ponds in the Bitterroot Valley. One was sighted by
a local guide in the Bitterroot and three smallmouth bass 1500
were caught by an angler in the Bitterroot River. To finish
on a positive note, the Bitterroot basin was closed to most
.new surface water right applications for awhile.
In 1999, R-2 fisheries personnel continued to concentrate
on watershed and native species restoration efforts in
western Montana. Work in the Blackfoot River drainage
has become a model for large-scale watershed restoration.
In 1999, a dozen more projects were completed, adding to
1995 1996 1997 1998
the more than 100 projects implemented on 35 streams
over the past decade. Similar efforts are underway in Rock
Creek and many other Clark Fork River tributaries. Rainbow trout abundance in the Ninth Street section of
Projects address a wide range ofhabitat problems the Yellowstone river based on spring sampling from 1995
associated with riparian management, fish migration to 1999. Estimates are for fish seven inches (TL) or longer.
Vertical scale is fish/mile.
MONTANA REGIONAL UPDATES
Trout abundance in most sections of the Yellowstone river throughout the Gallatin River from Shed's Bridge to the
sampled this spring appears stable; the number of fish in headwaters.
most sections ofthe riverwas similar to numbersestimated
in previousyears. Three standard populationmonitoringsectionsin theupper
West Gallatin River keep biologists apprised ofthe health of
THE WEST GALLATIN RIVER TROUT POPULATIONS: trout populations. The Porcupine Section extends from
WEATHERING THE STORM Porcupine Creek to the West Fork of the Gallatin and is
representative of the upper reaches of the West Gallatin.
It has been difficult to remain optimistic about Montana's Over the years, the rainbow trout in the Porcupine Section
natural resourcesoflate, with the onslaughtofdevelopment have maintained a stable population. This reach, like the
and increased human population. The West Gallatin River majority of the upper West Gallatin River is dominated by
is no exception. This jewel in one of Montana's fastest rainbow trout, with relatively few brown trout. Rainbow
growing counties has been enduring more than its share of trout density in the Porcupine section was the highest on
impacts. Intensive development in the Big Sky area, record in 1998, showing no relationship between increased
burgeoningcommercialandprivatewhitewaterboating, and fishing pressure and trout density. Biologists documented
increased fishing pressure have all diminished pristine wide variation in numbers of young fish, which indicates
appearancesand elbowroomin the Gallatin Canyon. These high mortality. This is common in systems with extensive
changes have alerted anglers, both resident and non-, to winter icing. As fish grow, they become less susceptible to
potential impacts on the health of trout populations in the winter mortality, but more susceptible to anglers. High
West Gallatin. The current regulation setting process has numbers of fish larger than 8 and 13 inches (3 to 5 years
drawn a numberofdemandsformore restrictiveregulations old) counted in 1998 contradicts what would be expected if
on harvestand tackleastheperception that "fishingquality angling exploitation was limiting the population.
" has declined.
The West Gallatin River undergoes a significant change
Wild troutmanagementisbasedon the premise thatMother between the Porcupine Section and theJack Smith Section,
Nature producesa higherquality, healthiertroutpopulation which extends below the West Fork to Deer Creek. A
than humans can by stocking. As longas humans protect number of natural springs, the West Fork of the West
aquatic habitats, including water quality and quantity, our Gallatin River, and groundwater carrying nutrients from
rivers and streams will naturally produce enough fish for development all contribute to changes in flows and
anglers and other predators. Wild trout managers rely on productivity. Overall rainbow troutpopulations in theJack
population monitoring to keep a watchful eye on the health Smith Bridge declined by nearly 50% through the late
of trout populations. Good, solid population data cuts 1990's. However, the decline was primarily in younger,
through perceptions and the vagaries of politics to allow smaller age classes offish (less than 10 inches, age 3 and
managers to make rational, science-based decisions. younger). The number of fish greater than 10 inches
declined moderately, but fell within expected ranges of
The West Gallatin River flows through a high elevation, variability. Thenumberoflarger, maturefishover 13 inches
narrow canyon that maintains cold water temperatures in long has remained stable, even increasing slightly when
the summer and creates extremely harsh conditions in the compared to densities while the slot limit was in effect
winter. The cool summer water temperatures and long (1982-1983). Once again, such a decrease in smaller fish
winters result in slow growing trout. An average rainbow and younger age classes reflects a climatic or reproductive
trout in the upper West Gallatin River will grow only to 8 limitation. Stability in older age classes does not supporta
inches in its first 3 years, reaching 12 inches onlyafter4 to limitation by angling exploitation. The density ofage 4 and
5 years. Severe winter conditions, including hazardous older rainbow trout has not changed significantly over the
anchor ice, regulates trout abundance. Older, large fish years in theJack Smith Section. However, trout in theJack
winter in deep pools and are much less likelyto succumbto Smith Section face additional risks. A pocket of whirling
winter mortality due to anchor ice. Younger fish tend to disease infestation has been documented in the area. This
winterbetweenrocksinthestreambottom,whereanchorice low intensity infection along with a proposal to discharge
formsandcan traporcrush them. Becauseofthevariations treated sewage effluent will expand the need for close
in severity ofwinters in Montana, the production ofyoung monitoring oftrout populations in this reach.
fish also varies significantly.
TheWilliamsBridge sectionissituatedjustbelowthemouth
Since 1980, anglersconcernedaboutoverfishingontheWest oftheGallatin Canyon. Rainbowtroutarestillpredominant,
Gallatin Riverhavecalledforrestrictiveregulationstoprotect but brown trout numbers are substantial and browns grow
trout populations. In 1981, FWP responded by larger there. Both rainbowand brown trout populations in
implementing a slot limit of 3 trout under 13 inches and the Williams Bridge Section are very stable. While water
lover 22 inches. Slot limits are designed to protect temperatures remain cool in this section, winters are
intermediate-sized fish and promote growth, while somewhat less severe than in Gallatin Canyon, although
encouraging harvest ofsmall fish. Population censuses by somevariabilityisstillexpected in arapid runoffriverofthis
standard electrofishing techniques demonstrated that the nature. Neither rainbow norbrown troutpopulations show
regulation failed to increase numbers or sizes of trout; signs ofoverfishing in this reach.
indeed, the harsh winter conditions and cool mid-summer Anglingsuccessis regulated bya broad setofunpredictable
water temperatures regulate trout size and density variables, anything from water temperature, weather, an
MONTANA REGIONAL UPDATES
anglers level ofexpertise, or even phase of the moon. The
Canyon Ferry
vastvariability in catch rates from day to dayoryeartoyear
make fishing a poor predictor of fish abundance or the 12
healthofthepopulation. Whilepopulationmonitoringshows SAge3andolder
10.4
tphoaptulaitnicornesa,seidncfriesahsiendg pprreessssuurreemhaayshnaovte iimmppaacctteedd ctartocuht 10 -| aAge2
Agel
rates as fish "wise up". oi 8
AgeO
Whiletherearemanyreasonstoremaindiligentinprotecting
atreasure suchastheWestGallatin Riveragainstthe tideof
challenges confronting it, there are as many reasons to be 4
optimistic. Thewild rainbowand brown troutpopulationsof
the West Gallatin remain healthy, providing the average 2 J
angler with miles ofblue ribbon fishing. With more anglers
and boaters on the water, a little extra effort is required to y ^ & & & & ^ ^
find solace, but plenty still exists on the West Gallatin <P ,#
River... and the rewards are worth the effort. <&
Year
REGIONS 3 AND 4 COLLABORATE ONUPPER MISSOURI
RESERVOIR FISHERYPLAN(2000-2009) Hauser
The Upper Missouri River Reservoir Management Plan was 12
preparedduring 1999 by personnelfromboth Regions3and
4. Public comment on the plan was taken through October 10
22, 1999 and the plan will be finalized in January, 2000.
This 10-yearplanwaswrittentodirectfisheriesmanagement oi 8
for the Missouri River from Toston Dam to Holter Dam,
includingthreemajorreservoirs(Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and '5> 6
Holter) and the associated river segments. The overall goal
of the plan was to manage the three-reservoir system as a
high-quality, cost-effective, multi-species fishery with high 2
levels of angler satisfaction. Multi-species was defined to
include a "balanced" mixture of existing species (walleye,
yaenldlobwurpbeortc)h., kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, ^s6 ^<& ^# <«># ^<# ^<# ^# \<'# \#q \#?
One ofthe more controversial recommendations ofthe plan
was to liberalize angler harvest regulations on walleye in
responsetotheincreasing walleyepopulationsinthesystem
(see figuresofwalleye trends). Thepurposeof attemptingto
Holter
increase walleye harvest by anglers was to attempt to slow
the growth ofthe walleye population to reduce the likelihood
that an over-abundance ofwalleye would adversely impact
the multi-species assemblage in the future. The plan
proposed to increase the walleye limit from 5 to 20/day at
Canyon Ferry, 5 to 10/day at Hauser Lake, and from 4 to
6/day at Holter. The increased angler harvest resulting
from the liberalized limits are NOT intended to reduce
walleye populations, butratherto slow population growth to
improve long term quality of the existing fishery.
In addition to the change in walleye limits, the plan also
proposed a daily limit of50yellow perch for Canyon Ferry,
Hauser, and Holter Lakes. The FWP Commission adopted ^ & & & ^ # & £ & g
theserecommendationsattheirregulationsettingmeetingin K
November, and anglers should consult the new regulations
prior to fishing the Upper Missouri Reservoir Complex next
spring.
10