Bull Trout
(Salvelinus confluentus)
Bull Trout
Montana populations are found mainly
in the Kootenai and Clark Fork
(including Bitterroot, Flathead/Swan and
Blackfoot systems). Bull trout reside in larger
streams and rivers or lakes and spawn in
smaller tributary streams. Conservation
concerns include: habitat degradation and
loss due to land and water management
practices; isolation and fragmentation of
populations by both structural (e.g. dams)
and environmental (e.g. thermal or pollution)
barriers; and introduction of non-native
fi shes resulting in competition, predation
and hybridization threats. Conservation
strategies include: restoring degraded habitat
and preserving existing healthy habitat;
reestablishing connectivity between habitats
isolated by constructed barriers; increasing
management of non-native fi shes; and
preventing illegal introductions.
