Update on Jefferson Basin Fisheries Collapse: July 2023
As you’ve no doubt read, recent fish surveys in Montana’s Jefferson Basin confirmed our worst fears - wild trout populations are at historic lows in the Big Hole, lower Beaverhead, and Ruby rivers. We knew we couldn’t sit idly hoping things take a turn for the best, so we stepped up, organized Save Wild Trout, and are working towards science-based and data driven solutions that will ensure a future of healthy wild trout fisheries in southwest Montana.
To catch you up on what’s recently occurred, here’s an overview of the past few weeks:
Save Wild Trout (SWT), a growing coalition of anglers, river advocates, concerned citizens, local and national businesses, guides, and outfitters, was formed to respond to the wild trout decline in southwest MT. SWT launched a website with a sign-up and donation option to continue to grow and expand the coalition of fisheries advocates.
SWT has met with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ (FWP) regional fish biologists and identified initial areas were SWT can collaborate with FWP.
SWT is now working with FWP to develop a plan for conducting disease and pathogen testing. Fellow SWT partner, YETI, provided fishing guides on the Big Hole River with coolers and we installed aerators to collect live diseased fish that can be analyzed by a histopathologist.
SWT volunteers have joined FWP in walking river banks in search of diseased fish. While we are still searching for viable live samples of diseased trout, we may have missed the window since most of the sick fish have been observed in June and October the past three years. The majority of zombie fish testing will likely occur this fall and next spring.
The Big Hole River Foundation is continuing to conduct water quality monitoring throughout the Big Hole River Basin during the 2023 season to identify water quality issues that may be impacting the wild trout population collapse. They are working with FWP to add dissolved oxygen sensors at their sampling sites.
Local fishing guides and outfitters have committed to reducing unnecessary stress on trout by adhering to best practices when out on the river, including keeping fish wet, no grip and grin photos, using single hook barbless artificial lures, and reeling in the line once water temperatures reach 68°F.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has completed and/or committed to the following next steps:
The Fish and Wildlife Commission implemented fishing regulations on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Ruby that include catch and release fishing and artificial lures and single pointed hooks only. This is a first step, but there is more that the Commission can do to better limit stress on fish, starting with an improved Hoot Owl threshold of 68°F in-line with best available science on salmonid mortality.
FWP launched a sick or dead fish portal for the public to report sightings of sick and/or dead fish, including location of the sighting and photos of fish.
FWP has committed to conducting three studies: a fish mortality study to understand the rates and causes of mortality; a juvenile trout study to understand what factors are limiting juvenile fish; and a fish health and potential diseases study. Unfortunately, none of the studies are scheduled to begin until spring 2024.
It’s worth noting that FWP’s tune on young-of-year recruitment has shifted. In May, the agency reported that there was little to no recruitment of young of year. Biologists are now saying that their electrofishing surveys don’t target young of year age classes, as they are more difficult to shock when inhabiting willowy reaches with high water, so we don’t know exact population counts on young-of-year trout in the Jefferson Basin. That said, we do know they are below average levels, but slightly better than counts from the previous few years.
The next steps for Save Wild Trout include:
Assisting FWP in collecting infected trout to get to pathologists for testing. We can’t manage what we don’t know, and as of now FWP doesn’t know what disease(s) might be infecting and killing off wild trout.
A straightforward first step to identifying the collapse of our trout populations is to pinpoint the disease(s) the fish are contracting. FWP needs a protocol and boots-on-the-ground in place for fall 2023 and spring 2024 sampling, since we’ve likely missed the window on summer 2023 sampling.
Using an interdisciplinary team of scientific experts, conduct research to identify habitat conditions, water quality parameters, diseases, etc. that are failing our trout. Identify near-term vs. long-term best management practices for enhancing trout resiliency, including strategies under sister natural resource agency authorities/outside FWP’s wheelhouse. Use expert reports to partner with state agency for improvements/additional conservation strategies.
• Continuing to advocate for an improved hoot owl restriction that will prohibit fishing at water temperatures ≥ 68°F. Science tells us that trout exhibit elevated levels of stress once water temperatures reach 68°F. We cannot afford to inflict additional unnecessary stress on our already-suffering trout. The Fish and Wildlife Commission should amend its rules to trigger hoot owl restrictions at 68°F rather than the current 73°F threshold for cold water fisheries.
Encouraging additional stress-reducing fishing practices (keep ‘em wet, no social media photos, etc.) to anglers, tourists, guides, and outfitters this summer so as to not further stress the fish. Let’s also remember, a day on the river is a day well spent, whether fish are landed or not.
After causes of the collapse have been identified, advocating for data-driven management solutions and regulatory reforms that will adequately protect and bolster trout populations for generations to come.
We’re encouraged by the initial progress that Save Wild Trout has accomplished and the collaboration formed with FWP. We look forward to working with state agencies, local businesses, and trout advocates as we move forward developing science-based solutions.
Thank you for helping us Save Wild Trout!
