Commission approves 19 Future Fisheries projects

HELENA - Brown trout and westslope cutthroat trout habitat will be improved and angler opportunities will increase near Anaconda when Fifer Gulch is reconnected to Warm Springs Creek. A landowner will repair riparian fence and water gaps on Marshall Creek, which has been protecting quality westslope cutthroat trout habitat near Missoula. These projects are two of 19 that recently received funding by the Fish and Wildlife Commission through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP). In all, more than $1.1 million in funding was approved to improve Montana fisheries.

The fisheries improvements include restoration of streams to a natural condition, installing riparian fencing, improving lake habitat, restoring streambanks, improving fish passage through culvert replacement, creating spawning habitat, keeping fish out of irrigation diversions, leasing water for instream use and more. Projects will help both native and non-native fish, including Arctic grayling, bull trout, mountain whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and bluegill.

This year's funding was matched by $6.5 million from outside sources. Landowners, watershed organizations, county governments, federal agencies and nonprofits submitted a total of 21 proposed projects. Nineteen projects were approved across Montana, including nine that are west and 10 that are east of the Continental Divide.

Applications for the FFIP summer-cycle grants are due May 15 to FWP's Fish Habitat Bureau. Application forms are available on FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov/FFIP or at FWP offices.

Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for FFIP funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs, extending FFIP dollars.

More information and FFIP applications are available on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov/FFIP.

Approved FFIP projects

Butte Area

• Fifer Gulch stream restoration (Anaconda, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County)
• First Chance Gulch habitat improvements (Anaconda, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County)
• Blind Canyon Creek fish barrier (Jackson, Beaverhead County)
• Governor Creek streambank restoration (Jackson, Beaverhead County)
• Parsons Slough Willow Springs water lease (Whitehall, Madison County)

Bozeman Area

• Flathead Creek streambank restoration (Wilsall, Gallatin County)

Dillon Area

• Cattail Creek spawning enhancement (Alder, Madison County)
• Granite Creek Upper Alder restoration (Alder, Madison County)
• Hellroaring Creek streambank restoration (Monida, Madison County)

Glasgow Area

• Paulo Reservoir storage and habitat (Glasgow, Valley County)

Hamilton Area

• North Burnt Fork Creek fish passage supplement (Stevensville, Ravalli County)
• Tin Cup Creek fish screen update (Darby, Ravalli County)

Missoula Area

• Albert Creek culvert replacement (Frenchtown, Missoula County)
• Benedict Creek fish passage (Seeley Lake, Missoula County)
• Flat Creek tailings removal and restoration (Superior, Mineral County)
• Marshall Creek riparian fencing (Missoula, Missoula County)
• Miller Creek restoration Leik property (Lolo, Missoula County)
• Nevada Creek restoration Phase 7 (Helmville, Powell County)

Lewistown Area

• Little Casino Creek fish passage (Lewistown, Fergus County)

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