KALISPELL — Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) biologists are concerned about the bull trout population in the South Fork of the Flathead River.

Additional protections will now protect endangered fish after the FWP Commission approved four amendments to Montana’s fishing regulations at the Nov. 12 meeting in Helena.

The changes will take effect next spring and will hopefully increase bull trout populations.

The biggest change concerns anglers on the South Fork, the only river in Montana where anglers can intentionally target bull trout.

There will be no intentional fishing for bull trout except catch and release between July 1 and 31. Additional changes to Montana’s bull trout fishing regulations were also approved at the meeting.

Here are the four changes that will come into effect next spring:

• Big Salmon Creek: Closed to all angling within 300 meters of the entrance (where the creek enters the lake) to Big Salmon Lake.
• Big Salmon Lake: Closed to all angling within 300 meters of the entrance (where the creek enters the lake) to Big Salmon Lake.
• Hungry Horse: Fish Obe by license year, from the third Saturday in May to August 15. Catch and release the rest of the year with Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead license validation on the fishing license. A Hungry Horse/South Fork Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for Bull Trout. See bull trout under “What I Need to Fish in Montana” (page 15). All bull trout must be released immediately or killed and counted as your limit when harvest is permitted. It is illegal to possess a live bull trout for any reason.
• South Fork Flathead River: No intentional fishing for bull trout except catch and release July 1-31. Angling is prohibited at the mouths of Gordon and Little Salmon creeks downstream, 300 meters, from June 15 to September 30. /South Fork Bull Trout Catch Map must be in possession when fishing for Bull Trout. See Bull Trout under “What Do I Need to Fish in Montana” (page 15) for application information. All bull trout should be released quickly, with little or no delay. It is illegal to possess a live bull trout for any reason. Bull trout fishing is not permitted in tributaries of the South Fork Flathead River or in Big Salmon Lake.

Additional information from FWP:
Angler surveys show that 44 percent of bull trout caught in the South Fork of the Flathead River are caught in the lowest part of the river. Migratory bull trout in this lower part of the watershed are vulnerable, and by shortening the season, fish could migrate to their natal streams without being targeted by fishermen. Additionally, bull trout are known to congregate near the mouths of major spawning tributaries such as Little Salmon Creek and Gordon Creek. These confluence zones have well-defined holes and are areas known to target concentrations of migratory stopover bull trout. Reducing angler-induced handling stress may help stabilize the downward trend in adult bull trout numbers.

Click here for more information on the changes.

WATCH Previous Coverage: Fish, Wildlife and Park Biologists Concerned About Declining Bull Trout Population in the South Fork

FWP biologists concerned about decline in bull trout population in South Fork