In the Flathead Valley of northwestern Montana, populations of threatened bull trout appear to be on the rise, according to fisheries biologists from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

After about a month of redd counts, overall numbers of redds (nests that fish build to deposit their eggs in when spawning) have increased significantly, but varied by stream. 

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A recent survey of anglers undertaken by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows that the majority of anglers still prefer to fish for trout and salmon as opposed to warmwater fish.  The results show that 64% of respondents considered themselves coldwater anglers, compared to 18% warmwater anglers. 

While warmwater fishing for species like perch and bass has become very popular in recent years, this survey highlights the fact that a majority of people still prefer salmon and trout fishing, and the department should maintain a focus on managing for coldwater fisheries wherever possible. 

I’m reminded of an area in central Maine where I conducted a winter creel survey of ice fishermen.  My job was to ride around on snowmobile and talk to all of the fishermen on the lake, collecting their trip information and fish data.  I surveyed two adjacent lakes.  One was a warmwater lake that contained perch, pickerel and bass.  The other lake contained an average population of stocked brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon.  The trout and salmon lake was fished over 10 times as heavily as the warmwater lake, even though the warmwater lake was much larger in size.

The point I’m trying to get across is that while warmwater fishing is getting more popular, a majority of anglers in many places still prefer to fish for trout and salmon, which is encouraging news for a trout geek like myself!  Maybe this information will provide more incentive for managers to work to restore quality trout and salmon fishing in Oregon and beyond.

Biologists from Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently completed fish counts in Montana’s Missouri and Smith rivers, and discovered surprisingly high numbers of trout, despite the low water levels experienced in the area all summer.  Many Montana rivers experienced prolonged fishing closures this past summer due to low water levels and corresponding warm water temperatures.  

We can argue about the necessity of fishing closures, perhaps in another post.  Recent university research has left me far from convinced about the need for closures, but that’s another topic. 

Regardless, the low water level failed to have a negative effect on the trout population in these rivers, and the local fisheries managers have a number of theories about why.

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