Fish Populations Rising in Big Hole; A good water year and hard work pay off

Wise River, MT – After six years of declining wild trout populations, culminating in historic lows in the Jefferson Basin last year, initial 2024 fish population counts by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) on the Big Hole River show a slight increase to see. According to FWP, wild trout populations are still significantly below historical averages, even after an above-average water year last year.

“Even the incremental increase in wild trout populations on the Big Hole River is something to celebrate. These numbers are a testament to all the hard work that has gone into reversing this troubling trend and ensuring a good water year, but a long-term management plan to return wild trout to historic numbers will take much more than hoping for next year. said Wade Fellin of Save Wild Trout. “The breakdown of trout age classes will tell us a lot about the overall health of the population. Given persistently high nutrient pollution, climate change and this summer’s hot and dry forecast, now is not the time to be complacent. The future of wild trout is in our hands, and we will do our utmost to protect our waterways, our way of life and all the businesses that depend on them.”

FWP’s lead Big Hole River biologist confirmed the “encouraging” findings, but noted that trout numbers are still well below long-term averages, and was careful to indicate that last year’s water levels likely improved juvenile survival because there were more two-year-old trout. counted this year. An age range imbalance for the trout population could be a sign of an unhealthy fishery and a concern for the future of southwestern Montana’s cold-water fisheries, especially given this year’s summer forecast of low water and above-average temperatures. Many anglers continue to report successful fishing days on the Big Hole. FWP uses probability-based sampling methods from which mathematical estimates of sampling bias, statistical errors, sampling errors, and confidence intervals can be determined.

Save Wild Trout, a nonprofit organization founded to protect wild trout for the benefit of all, is preparing for a robust field year, working with government agencies, to study the basin’s overall water quality, temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels, in addition other scientific data. collection efforts. The group plans to study sources of persistently high nutrient pollution and degraded and compromised habitats to inform management decisions, restoration options, and identify long-term solutions for trout resilience.

In addition, Save Wild Trout encourages all anglers to stay informed and “Take the Pledge for Wild Trout,” which encourages safe handling practices, barbless hooks, hard stops when water temperatures reach 68 degrees, following government regulations and redefining a successful fishery. day on the river. Learn more at SaveWildTrout.org.