Blackfoot River Anglers Asked To Limit Fishing

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Low flows and elevated water temperatures in the mainstem Blackfoot River and some of it’s tributary stream, northeast of Missoula, have prompted the Blackfoot Drought Response Committee and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to request that anglers voluntary limit all fishing to morning-only, until conditions improve.   To also protect critical bull trout populations, the request is for a voluntary prohibition on all fishing in Gold, Belmont, Cottonwood, Copper, Monture Creeks; North Fork Blackfoot River; and Landers Fork.    The request takes effect on July 30, 2003.

  Low flows combined with high water temperatures stress fish by concentrating them and reducing the amount of oxygen in the water.   Angling can add additional stress on native bull and cutthroat trout and other species.

  By limiting fishing to morning-only, caught and released fish will have a better survival rate because water temperatures are cooler in the morning.

  Regional fisheries manager, Pat Saffel, Missoula, is requesting the voluntary restriction because instream flow in the river is dropping rapidly below 700 cfs and water temperatures are as high as 76 degrees.   “It’s a critical step in the Blackfoot Drought Response Plan to protect fisheries that are threatened by continuing drought conditions” according to Saffel.    The plan was voluntarily developed by an extensive group of irrigators, landowners, the Blackfoot Challenge, Trout Unlimited, anglers, fishing outfitters and FWP.   The plan calls for voluntary reduction in irrigation demands from all water rights holders, as flows dropped below 700 cfs.   Fishing outfitters are also asked to participate.

  Saffel says, “it’s time to ask all anglers to limit their fishing to morning-only on the mainstem of the River and to not fish the critical bull trout tributaries.”     Adding that protecting the fishery for the future is a   “shared sacrifice” process.   According to Saffel “For the next month, river conditions will be monitored closely. Hopefully further restrictions or closures will not be necessary.”   The Blackfoot River Drought Plan calls for lifting the restrictions by early September as river flows and temperatures allow.