Montana FWP Seeks Review of Proposal to Remove Non-Native Trout in Bitterroots

A Yellowstone Cutty

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) seeks public review of its proposal to remove non-native and hybridized cutthroat trout in the upper portion of Overwhich Creek and its tributaries in the southwest Bitterroot Valley, above Painted Rocks Dam.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout are native to Montana, west of the continental divide. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, although native to Montana, are not native to the Bitterroot watershed. Under the proposal, Yellowstone and hybridized cutthroats would be removed from the upper reaches of the creek and its tributaries (immediately above Overwhich Falls) using the fish toxin rotenone.

The Yellowstone Cutthroat likely entered the isolated drainage years ago, during a high mountain lake stocking operation.

LINK (via: Montana FWP)

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