FWP to conduct final rotenone treatment of North Fork of Spanish Creek

BOZEMAN – This month Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries staff will be conducting a rotenone treatment of the North Fork of Spanish Creek.

This is the third and final rotenone treatment as part of a multi-phased project to remove non-native fish and restore native westslope cutthroat trout to the North Fork of Spanish Creek. Rotenone is a naturally derived substance commonly used in fish restoration efforts that is toxic to gill-breathing animals and breaks down quickly in the aquatic environment.

Westslope cutthroat trout are native to Montana but have experienced substantial declines in distribution and abundance throughout their historical range due to habitat degradation and hybridization with rainbow trout. However, the results of this restoration project will more than double the number of stream miles occupied by westslope cutthroat trout in the Gallatin River drainage.

The rotenone treatments are scheduled to begin Aug. 11 and could last until Aug. 14. Non-native fish will be removed above a constructed barrier on private land several miles upstream of the Spanish Creek Road.

Signs will be posted within and around the treatment area during and immediately following treatment.

The South Fork of Spanish Creek, accessed from the trailhead at the end of the Spanish Creek Road, will not be impacted by the treatment.