Tag Archives: bull trout

Report discusses future climate change impact on native trout

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A just-released report discusses the impact of climate change on Rocky Mountain trout species . . .

A new research paper published in Fisheries magazine explores how a warming climate is affecting trout streams in the Flathead River basin and throughout the Rocky Mountains, and urges quick action if native trout populations are to persist in diminishing cold-water habitats.

The report examines the climate histories of five river basins in the Rocky Mountains, including the Flathead River, which is home to robust populations of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. In every case, stream characteristics have been adversely affected by warming trends, which have led to higher stream temperatures and habitat fragmentation.

Continue reading . . .

Spawning surveys find stable bull trout population

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Here’s some good news . . .

Recently completed bull-trout spawning surveys in the North and Middle Fork Flathead river drainages indicate there is a stable population, according to state biologists.

This year’s surveys were a comprehensive, basinwide effort that focused on all of the known spawning streams in the North and Middle Fork drainages. The basinwide surveys, carried out every few years, were conducted on 31 streams, including the eight “index” streams that are surveyed every year in the North and Middle Fork drainages.

Continue reading . . .

Glacier Park seeks comment on Quartz Lake invasive species fish barrier

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Glacier Park is trying to keep non-native lake trout out of Quartz Lake . . .

Glacier National Park officials are seeking public comment on a project that would modify and improve a fish barrier designed to stem the invasion of lake trout in Quartz Lake.

Considered one of the last best strongholds for native fish in the entire Columbia River Basin, Quartz Lake’s native fish populations include bull trout, which are classified as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, as well as westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish.

Native fish populations in Glacier National Park have been compromised by the invasion of non-native fish species into the park’s lakes and streams, and lake trout are being targeted as the chief culprit.

Continue reading . . .

Further reading: official Glacier Park press release.

New, expanded critical habitat designation for bull trout proposed

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The US Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a substantial increase to the critical habitat designation for Bull Trout throughout the Northwest. This includes drainages around Glacier Park such as the North Fork Flathead River. A post to the New West site yesterday has the story, including information on meetings and on public comment procedures . . .

On January 13th, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released a new critical habitat designation for bull trout throughout the Northwest, including western Montana. The new draft — offering four-to-six times more protected waters than a previous proposal — includes 21,694 miles of stream habitat and 533,426 acres of reservoirs and lakes in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Nevada.

Read the entire article . . .

B.C. coal mine threat to trans-border trout: Scientists

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Further information on the proposed Cline mine’s impact on bull trout from the Canada.com web site . . .

U.S. government scientists studying the Flathead River watershed straddling the B.C.-Montana border say they’ve discovered the prime spawning site for a threatened species of trout – on the Canadian side of the system, and in the very shadow of a proposed mountaintop coal mine that drew fire from U.S. president-elect Barack Obama during his drive to the White House.

Biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Montana state Wildlife Department say the findings pinpoint the mouth of Foisey Creek in southeastern B.C. – near the planned site of a controversial open-pit coal operation proposed by Toronto-based Cline Mining Corp. – as a “critical” site in the life-cycle of the protected bull trout, which often migrates from U.S. waters to Canada to reproduce.

It’s a discovery, the scientists say, that adds to previous evidence showing threats to the watershed’s population of cross-border cutthroat trout, and which should clinch the environmental case against the mine.

Read the entire article . . .

Canada: Mine planned atop habitat for bull trout

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From the Friday, November 28, 2008 online edition of the Missoulian . . .

A controversial Canadian coal mine, proposed high in the headwaters above Glacier National Park, would be built atop the most productive bull trout spawning habitat in the entire river basin.

“That site, immediately below the proposed mine site, is incredibly important bull trout habitat,” said Mark Deleray, a fisheries biologist with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Read the entire article . . .
(Link updated on 30 November. The darn Missoulian sometimes changes the link when they archive articles.)

Bull trout spawning strong in North Fork

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From the Wednesday, November 19, 2008 online edition of the Daily Inter Lake . . .

An annual survey of bull trout spawning activity has found higher redd counts in the North Fork Flathead Basin, and counts below average in the South Fork Flathead and Swan River drainages.

[…]

This year’s count found that Trail Creek was the biggest producer in the North Fork drainage, with 49 redds. Coal Creek continues to be the drainage’s least productive stream, with only two redds.

Read the entire article . . .