Welcome to our annual Fishing Newsletter.
The articles in this issue highlight the wide diversity of tremendous fisheries we manage in the state; from hatchery supported walleye and trout fisheries in a variety of reservoirs to our internationally recognized wild trout fisheries. The biggest news for the fisheries of the state this year is the removal of several barriers to fish movement that will greatly enhance our river fisheries. Of course everyone has heard about the removal of Milltown dam. As I write this the old powerhouse is coming down and in the next month the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers will be flowing free once again. Thousands of fish representing several species that have been blocked from completing their annual spawning migrations for over a hundred years will be able to return to historic spawning and rearing grounds. But I will wager that most of you are not aware of the fish passage projects on the Tongue and Yellowstone rivers that will re-open hundreds of miles of habitat for river dwelling warm water species such as sauger, channel catfish, shovelnose sturgeon, paddlefish and the endangered pallid sturgeon. These projects are just as exciting and important as the Milltown dam removal. I hope you will have many opportunities this year to get out with your family and friends to enjoy this diversity of great fishing. Remember to take a kid fishing this year.
Sincerely,
Chris Hunter Fisheries Administrator
The Annual Fishing Newsletter is also also available to download in a PDF version.
