DOCSLIB.ORG

Management Plan for North Dakota and Montana Paddlefish Stocks and Fisheries a Cooperative Interstate Plan January 2008

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Management Plan for North Dakota and Montana Paddlefish Stocks and Fisheries a Cooperative Interstate Plan January 2008 Management Plan for North Dakota and Montana Paddlefish Stocks and Fisheries A Cooperative Interstate Plan January 2008 DR. DENNIS L. SCARNECCHIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MOSCOW, ID 83844-1136 (208) 885-5981 FAX (208) 885-6226 [email protected] L. FRED RYCKMAN NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT 13932 WEST FRONT STREET WILLISTON, ND 58801 (701) 774-4320 FAX (701) 774-4305 [email protected] BRAD J. SCHMITZ MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS BOX 1630 MILES CITY, MT 59330 (406) 232-0914 FAX (406) 232-4368 [email protected] SCOTT GANGL NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT 100 NORTH BISMARCK EXPRESSWAY BISMARCK, ND 58501 (701) 328-6300 FAX (701) 328-6352 WILLIAM WIEDENHEFT MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS RT 1- 4210 GLASGOW, MT 59230 (406) 228-3706 FAX (406) 228-8161 LAURA L. LESLIE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS 2165 HWY 2 HAVRE, MT 59501 (406) 265-6177 ext 226 FAX (406) 265-265-6123 and YOUNGTAIK LIM DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MOSCOW, ID 83844-1136 Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... viii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... ix Overview of Paddlefish ................................................................................................................. 1 Rationale for a Cooperative Management Plan ......................................................................... 4 Review of Montana and North Dakota Paddlefish Stocks and Fisheries ................................ 5 Yellowstone-Sakakawea Stock and Fishery ............................................................................... 6 Habitat .................................................................................................................................... 6 Stock History ......................................................................................................................... 10 Life History ........................................................................................................................... 12 Life History Strategy ............................................................................................................. 15 Ecology ................................................................................................................................. 30 Fishery .................................................................................................................................. 30 Management Chronology ...................................................................................................... 36 Period 1 (1963-1977) ........................................................................................................ 36 Montana ........................................................................................................................ 36 North Dakota ................................................................................................................. 52 Period 2 (1978-1989) ........................................................................................................ 53 Montana ........................................................................................................................ 53 North Dakota ................................................................................................................. 55 Period 3 (1990-1995) ........................................................................................................ 55 Montana ........................................................................................................................ 55 North Dakota ................................................................................................................. 56 Period 4 (1996- 2007) ....................................................................................................... 57 Montana ........................................................................................................................ 58 North Dakota ................................................................................................................. 58 Other Fishery Components ................................................................................................... 60 Non-tribal snag and archery fisheries............................................................................ 60 Tribal fishery ................................................................................................................. 60 Hatchery Production ............................................................................................................. 61 Stock Assessment.................................................................................................................. 61 Biological and Fisheries Data from Cleaning Stations ..................................................... 65 Adult Fish Jaw Tagging .................................................................................................... 65 Reservoir Sampling of Age-0 and Age-1 Fish, Zooplankton, and Reservoir Habitat ...... 68 Early Warning System for Reproduction and Recruitment Success or Failure .................... 68 The Age-0 Index ................................................................................................................ 70 The Sub-adult Index .......................................................................................................... 72 The Young Male Recruit Index ......................................................................................... 72 Five-Year Recruitment Estimate and Harvest Cap ........................................................... 72 A Combination of Methods ............................................................................................... 73 Fort Peck Stock and Fishery ..................................................................................................... 73 Table of Contents Habitat ................................................................................................................................... 73 Stock History......................................................................................................................... 75 Life History and Ecology ...................................................................................................... 77 Fishery ................................................................................................................................... 81 Management Chronology ...................................................................................................... 85 Hatchery Production ............................................................................................................. 86 Stock Assessment.................................................................................................................. 86 Population size .................................................................................................................. 86 Age structure ..................................................................................................................... 87 Indices of reproductive success and year class strength .................................................. 87 Young male recruit index .................................................................................................. 87 Oahe Stock ................................................................................................................................ 88 Habitat ................................................................................................................................... 88 Life History and Ecology ...................................................................................................... 88 Management .......................................................................................................................... 88 Hatchery Production ............................................................................................................. 88 Stock Assessment.................................................................................................................. 88 Habitat Requirements and Protection ...................................................................................... 89 River Water Quantity ............................................................................................................ 89 Overview ........................................................................................................................... 89 Yellowstone River Compact .............................................................................................. 90 Irrigation withdrawals ...................................................................................................... 90 Protecting flows for paddlefish ......................................................................................... 91 Fort Peck Dam flow releases ...........................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • History of Navigation on the Yellowstone River
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 1950 History of navigation on the Yellowstone River John Gordon MacDonald The University of Montana Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation MacDonald, John Gordon, "History of navigation on the Yellowstone River" (1950). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 2565. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/2565 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HISTORY of NAVIGATION ON THE YELLOWoTGriE RIVER by John G, ^acUonald______ Ë.À., Jamestown College, 1937 Presented in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Mas­ ter of Arts. Montana State University 1950 Approved: Q cxajJL 0. Chaiinmaban of Board of Examiners auaue ocnool UMI Number: EP36086 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMT Ois8<irtatk>n PuUishing UMI EP36086 Published by ProQuest LLC (2012). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC.
    [Show full text]
  • First Record of the North American Paddlefish (Polyodon Spathula Walbaum, 1792) in the Serbian Part of the Danube River
    Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade, 58 (3), 27P-28P, 2006. FIRST RECORD OF THE NORTH AMERICAN PADDLEFISH (POLYODON SPATHULA WALBAUM, 1792) IN THE SERBIAN PART OF THE DANUBE RIVER. Mirjana Lenhardt1, A. Hegediš2, B. Mićković2, Željka Višnjić Jeftić2, Marija Smederevac2, I. Jarić2, G. Cvijanović2, and Z. Gačić2. 1Siniša Stanković Institute for Biological Research, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia and 2Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Key words: Non-native fish, Polyodon spathula, the Danube, Serbia UDC597.423(7:497.11) The North American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is one of Plovdiv and Vidin regions in Bulgaria (Hubenova et al., two living species of paddlefishes, the other being the Chinese 2005). paddlefish, Psephurus gladius. Although P. spathula was once abundant throughout the Mississippi River basin, since the be- In May 2006, a specimen of P. spathula was caught by ginning of the 20th century populations have declined dramati- professional fishermen near Prahovo in the Serbian part of the cally in most areas (Graham, 1997). Polyodon spathula is Danube River (river km 861). According to them, more speci- successfully reared in aquaculture, and, like sturgeon, is highly mens of different size and weight were caught at that time. The valued for its grayish-black roe (which is processed into caviar) specimens were caught with a floating drift net (100 x 4.5 m) and for its boneless firm white meat (Mims, 2001). with mesh size of 3.25 cm. They were identified according to Polyodon spathula is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the Page and Burr(1991). One specimen (Fig. 1) was deposi- IUCN Red List, and its international trade is restricted under ted in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Belgra- Appendix II of the CITES (since 11 June 1992).
    [Show full text]
  • Soda Butte Creek
    Soda Butte Creek monitoring and sampling schemes Final report for the Greater Yellowstone Network Vital Signs Monitoring Program Susan O’Ney Resource Management Biologist Grand Teton National Park P.O. Drawer 170 Moose, Wyoming 83012 Phone: (307) 739 – 3666 December 2004 SODA BUTTE CREEK and REESE CREEK: VITAL SIGNS MONITORING PROGRAM: FINAL REPORT December 2004 Meredith Knauf Department of Geography and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research University of Colorado, Boulder Mark W. Williams* Department of Geography and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research University of Colorado, Boulder *Corresponding Address Mark W. Williams INSTAAR and Dept. of Geography Campus Box 450 Boulder, Colorado 80309-0450 Telephone: (303) 492-8830 E-mail: [email protected] Soda_Butte_Creek_Compiled_with_Appendices .doc 5/17/2005 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY We have put together a final report on the recommendations for the Soda Butte Creek and Reese Creek Vital Signs Monitoring Program. The purpose of the grant was to develop detailed protocols necessary to monitor the ecological health of Soda Butte Creek and Reese Creek in and near Yellowstone National Park. The main objectives was to compile existing information on these creeks into one database, document the current conditions of Soda Butte and Reese Creeks by a one-time synoptic sampling event, and present recommendations for vital signs monitoring programs tailored to each creek’s needs. The database is composed of information from government projects by the United States Geological Survey and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, graduate student master’s theses, academic research, and private contractor reports. The information dates back to 1972 and includes surface water quality, groundwater quality, sediment contamination, vegetation diversity, and macroinvertebrate populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Montana's Basin Closures and Controlled Groundwater Areas
    Montana's Basin Closures and Controlled Groundwater Areas Revised & Updated June 2016 Water Resource Division Water Rights Bureau 1424 9th Avenue P.O. Box 201601 Helena, Montana 59620-1601 http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/water/water-rights/montana-basin-closures for questions call (406) 444-1601 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS General Information ............................................................................. 4 Controlled Groundwater Areas: BNSF Paradise Railyard ........................................................................ 5 BNSF Somers Railyard ........................................................................... 6 Hays Creek ............................................................................................ 8 Larson Creek ......................................................................................... 9 Bitterroot Sanitary Landfill ................................................................... 10 Warm Springs Ponds ............................................................................. 11 Rocker ................................................................................................... 12 Old Butte Landfill/Clark Tailings Site .................................................... 13 Butte Alluvial and Bedrock Site ............................................................. 15 East Valley (East Helena) ………………………………………………………………….. 16 Bozeman Solvent Site ............................................................................ 17 Idaho Pole Company Site .....................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Sturgeon Classification – Dichotomous Keys Subject
    Topic/Lesson: Sturgeon Classification – Dichotomous Keys Subject: Classification and dichotomous keys Author: Rob Yeomans Time One 90 minute block or two 45 minute periods Duration: Overview: Students will use pictures of 7 members of the order Acipenseriformes to build a dichotomous key to identify each species. Objectives: Students will be able to: • Describe how to construct a dichotomous key. • Explain the hierarchal grouping of taxonomy. • Define a species. • Use their observational skills to differentiate species of sturgeon. • Understand the human impact on many species of sturgeon. Materials: • Whiteboard • Projector and screen • Dichotomous key assignment Procedures: 1) At the start of class, put the KPCOFGS of Atlantic sturgeon on the board, out of order. Have the class put each category in order from biggest to smallest and then define each term (What does it mean to be in kingdom Animalia? Phylum Chordata?) If the students don’t know, tell them—especially when you get down to order, family and genus. • Kingdom Animalia (multicellular, heterotrophic, eukaryotic) • Phylum Chordata (have at some point a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, gill slits and a post-anal tail) • Class Actinopterygii (All ray finned fishes. Fins are made of bony spines connected by a webbing of skin for support) • Order Acipenseriformes (primitive, cartilaginous endoskeleton, lack of a vertebral column) • Family Acipenseridae (true sturgeon; elongated bodies, lack of scales, anadromous, bottom feeders) • Genus Acipenser (Atlantic Sturgeon) 1 • Species oxyrinchus Comment to the class that there are actually two subspecies of oxyrinchus. Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus is the Atlantic sturgeon and Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi is the Gulf sturgeon 2) Reinforce the fact that sturgeon are a primitive fish and fossils have been found dating back 144-65 million years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • The Key Threats to Sturgeons and Measures for Their Protection in the Lower Danube Region
    THE KEY THREATS TO STURGEONS AND MEASURES FOR THEIR PROTECTION IN THE LOWER DANUBE REGION MIRJANA LENHARDT* Institute for Biological Research, Serbia IVAN JARIĆ, GORČIN CVIJANOVIĆ AND MARIJA SMEDEREVAC-LALIĆ Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, Serbia Abstract The six native sturgeon species have been commercially harvested in the Danube Basin for more than 2,000 years, with rapid decrease in catch by mid 19th century. Addi- tional negative effect on sturgeon populations in the Danube River was river regulation in Djerdap region, due to navigation in the late 19th century, as well as dam construction in the second half of 20th century that blocked sturgeon spawning migrations. Beside over- fishing and habitat loss, illegal trade, life history characteristics of sturgeon, lack of effective management (due to lack of transboundary cooperation and change in political situa- tion in Lower Danube Region countries) and pollution all pose serious threats on sturgeon populations in Lower Danube Region. International measures established by the Conven- tion on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in late 20th century, listing of beluga (Huso huso) as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, as well as development of Action plan for conservation of sturgeons in the Danube River Basin, had significant impact on activities related to sturgeon protection at beginning of 21st century. These actions were aimed towards diminishment of pressure on natural sturgeon populations and aquaculture development in countries of Lower Danube Region. The main goal of the Action Plan was to raise public awareness and to create a common framework for implementation of urgent measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Missouri-Madison Project
    Hydropower Project Summary MISSOURI AND MADISON RIVERS, MONTANA MISSOURI-MADISON HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (P-2188) Hauser Dam Morony Dam Photos: PPL Montana This summary was produced by the Hydropower Reform Coalition and River Management Society Missouri and Madison Rivers, Montana MISSOURI AND MADISON RIVERS, MONTANA MISSOURI-MADISON HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (P-2188) DESCRIPTION: This hydropower license includes nine developments, of which eight were constructed between 1906 and 1930, and the ninth- the Cochrane dam- began operation in 1958. The projects are spread over 324 river-miles on the Missouri and Madison rivers. The Hebgen and Madison developments are located on the Madison River whereas the other seven- Hauser, Holter, Black Eagle, Rainbow, Cochrane, Ryan, and Morony- are located on the Missouri River. The Madison River flows into the Missouri River near the city of Three Forks, approximately 33 miles northwest of Bozeman. While this summary was being prepared, Northwestern Energy, a company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and serving the Upper Midwest and Northwest, is in the process of acquiring this project. Read more at http://www.northwesternenergy.com/hydroelectric-facilities. A. SUMMARY 1. License application filed: November 25, 1992 2. License issued: September 27, 2000 3. License expiration: August 31, 2040 4. Waterway: Missouri and Madison Rivers 5. Capacity: 326.9 MW 6. Licensee: PPL Montana 7. Counties: Gallatin, Madison, Lewis and Clark, and Cascade Counties 8. Project area: Portions of the project are located on federal lands, including lands within the Gallatin and Helena National Forests 9. Project Website: http://www.pplmontana.com/producing+power/power+plants/PPL+Montana+Hyd ro.htm 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowstone River - Cumulative Effects Analysis
    Yellowstone River - Cumulative Effects Analysis Project Objectives 1. Evaluate the cumulative hydraulic, biological, and socioeconomic impacts of human activity on the Yellowstone River. 2. Develop recommended management practices and position statements. Project Extent • Gardiner MT to the Missouri River confluence (565 River Miles) Yellowstone River Cumulative Effects Assessment Montana’s Involvement • Yellowstone River Conservation District Council (YRCDC) • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) • Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) • 2004 Cost-Share Agreement with Corps of Engineers • YRCDC – Local Leadership and Participation Primary Project Components • Hydrology • Avian • Hydraulics - Floodplain • Fisheries • Channel Geomorphology • Land Use Trends • Riparian • Socioeconomics • Wetlands • Lidar Topographic Mapping • Water Quality • Cumulative Effects Analysis Hydrology A Comparison of Pre-Development and Modern Stream Flows Main Results: • Natural streamflows have been affected by human development. • Primary influences are flow alterations on the Bighorn River and irrigation withdrawals. • The Yellowstone River has responded to these flow alterations. Bighorn River Watershed 22,885 square miles (33%) of total Yellowstone River watershed Yellowtail Dam/ Bighorn Reservoir Buffalo Bill Reservoir Boysen Reservoir Bighorn River Flow Alterations Yellowtail Dam: Built mid-1960s • 1,331,725 acre-feet of storage in Bighorn Reservoir • Flood control targets including preventing flows at the confluence of the Yellowstone River from exceeding 25,000
    [Show full text]
  • Species and Subject Index*
    Species and subject index* 12SrDNA(mitochondrialgene) 141-144 life history 324-328, 331-332, 348-353 Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Russian sturgeon) I6S rDNA(mitochondrial gene) 141-144 in MerrimackRiver 324-325 208, 220 I8SrDNA(nucleargene) 141-142, 146 migration323-325,328-330,349, in the Caspian Sea 209, 214 Acipenser 351-353 in the Danube River 185,193, 208 biogeography 41, 43, 128, 158, 169, palatquadrate shape 47 fishery 193,210,214 174 inthe PeeDeeRiver 323, 330 reproduction 214–215 in the Caspian Sea 215-216 phylogeny 45 status 203, 206 feedingadaptations 119 population size321-323, 330 taxonomy 158 fossil forms 174 in the Potomac River 322 in the Volga River 209, 214–215 locomotion adaptation 121 predation on 331 Acipenser kikuchii (=A. sinensis), taxonomy molecular phylogeny 147-148 quadratojugal bone 47 159 molecular variation in 159 reproduction 324-327, 352-353 Acipenser medirostris (green sturgeon) morphological characters 78, 81, 83, in the Saint John River 322, 324-325, fishery 412 86-7.89-91.93.95-6,99, 101, 104, 331 spawning rivers169 106-7,114-6 inthe Santee-Cooper River323-324 systematics 41 osteological methods 77 in the Savannah River 322-324, 330 taxonomy158 -159 phylogeny 43, 64, 116, 128, 145, spawning 324-326, 328-331, 350, 352 in the Tumnin River 158 147-149, 171, 180 status 319,322,356 Acipensermikadoi (Sakhalin sturgeon) 406 polyploidy in 136 stocking 323 in the Amur River 231–232 range31 inthe SusquehannaRiver 322 spawningrivers 169 rostralexpansion 120 taxonomy 159 systematics41 speciation 128, 148 Acipenser dabryanus (Dabry’s sturgeon) taxonomy 158 systematics 26, 39, 41-44, 147 artificial reproduction 262 Acipenser multiscutatus (=A.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Geochemistry in Yellowstone National Park—Natural and Anthropogenic Anomalies and Their Potential Impact on the Environment
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Publications of the US Geological Survey US Geological Survey 2007 Environmental Geochemistry in Yellowstone National Park—Natural and Anthropogenic Anomalies and Their Potential Impact on the Environment Maurice A. Chaffee U.S. Geological Survey Robert R. Carlson U.S. Geological Survey Harley D. King U.S. Geological Survey Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Chaffee, Maurice A.; Carlson, Robert R.; and King, Harley D., "Environmental Geochemistry in Yellowstone National Park—Natural and Anthropogenic Anomalies and Their Potential Impact on the Environment" (2007). Publications of the US Geological Survey. 68. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgspubs/68 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications of the US Geological Survey by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Environmental Geochemistry in Yellowstone National Park—Natural K and Anthropogenic Anomalies and Their Potential Impact on the Environment By Maurice A. Chaffee, Robert R. Carlson, and Harley D. King Chapter K of Integrated Geoscience Studies in the Greater Yellowstone Area— Volcanic, Tectonic, and Hydrothermal Processes in the Yellowstone Geoecosystem Edited by Lisa A. Morgan Professional Paper 1717 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological
    [Show full text]
  • Fly Fishing the Yellowstone Area: Hatch Charts and Angling Quality Charts
    Fly Fishing the Yellowstone Area: Hatch Charts and Angling Quality Charts This document compiles the general hatch charts, angling quality by timeframe charts, and fishery- specific hatch and fly suggestion charts provided on the how-to portion of the Parks’ Fly Shop website (www.parksflyshop.com) in an easy-to-print (and view) format. Please visit this website for much more information on fly fishing the Yellowstone area and southern Montana. I hope you find this information helpful. If you’re considering booking a fly fishing trip in Yellowstone or Montana, we would appreciate your business. Regards, Walter Wiese Head Guide, Parks’ Fly Shop (http://www.parksflyshop.com) www.flywalter.com [email protected] (406) 223-8204 This work is copyright Walter Wiese, 2018. You may distribute this document however you please, including for commercial purposes, in print or digital formats, with the following caveats: you may not alter it, you may not claim it as your own work, you must distribute the entire document if you choose to distribute any of it, and you must include this introduction and my contact information above. Table of Contents Here are some notes on how this document is organized… ................................................................... 3 General Hatch Charts .................................................................................................................................. 5 Where Should I Fish?...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Montana Fishing Regulations
    MONTANA FISHING REGULATIONS 20March 1, 2018 — F1ebruary 828, 2019 Fly fishing the Missouri River. Photo by Jason Savage For details on how to use these regulations, see page 2 fwp.mt.gov/fishing With your help, we can reduce poaching. MAKE THE CALL: 1-800-TIP-MONT FISH IDENTIFICATION KEY If you don’t know, let it go! CUTTHROAT TROUT are frequently mistaken for Rainbow Trout (see pictures below): 1. Turn the fish over and look under the jaw. Does it have a red or orange stripe? If yes—the fish is a Cutthroat Trout. Carefully release all Cutthroat Trout that cannot be legally harvested (see page 10, releasing fish). BULL TROUT are frequently mistaken for Brook Trout, Lake Trout or Brown Trout (see below): 1. Look for white edges on the front of the lower fins. If yes—it may be a Bull Trout. 2. Check the shape of the tail. Bull Trout have only a slightly forked tail compared to the lake trout’s deeply forked tail. 3. Is the dorsal (top) fin a clear olive color with no black spots or dark wavy lines? If yes—the fish is a Bull Trout. Carefully release Bull Trout (see page 10, releasing fish). MONTANA LAW REQUIRES: n All Bull Trout must be released immediately in Montana unless authorized. See Western District regulations. n Cutthroat Trout must be released immediately in many Montana waters. Check the district standard regulations and exceptions to know where you can harvest Cutthroat Trout. NATIVE FISH Westslope Cutthroat Trout Species of Concern small irregularly shaped black spots, sparse on belly Average Size: 6”–12” cutthroat slash— spots
    [Show full text]