Willow Creek Land Company II, LLC Private Pond License Review FWP-CEA-FSH-R3-24-044

Jun 25, 2024 2:33 PM

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is a 2.45 surface acre pond located at the end of Falls Creek Rd, Park County, MT. The pond is near Clyde Park approximately 0.21 mile east of an unnamed tributary to Falls Creek, which is a tributary to the Shields River. There is no documentation of fish within Falls Creek. The pond is fed by a groundwater well located at the site. The outlet consists of an Argi-Drain control structure. The discharge flows out onto a dry swale with no chance to reach state waters.

Risk of escapement is minimal. Fish that do escape the pond will be stranded on dry ground with no chance of reaching state waters. Yellowstone Cutthroat trout are native to the Shields River basin. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.

The project is sponsored by the private landowner and the license would be active for a period of 10-years from the year of issuance (2024). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term and the license is transferable.