Tiger trout introduction to Corner Lake: Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
May 22, 2025 4:03 PM
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is proposing to introduce tiger trout from a state hatchery operated by FWP into Corner Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Tiger trout are a sterile hybrid cross between a brook trout and brown trout. They can provide excellent sportfishing opportunities as they are aggressive and can grow to large size. Tiger trout are not native to the drainage and have not been present historically.
Located on United States Forest Service land, Corner Lake is high-elevation lake (9,292 ft) in the Beartooth Mountains that is 11 surface acres with a max depth of 42 feet. The lake is accessible via Goose Lake Jeep Trail. Historically, it has been stocked with Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) in 1980 and 2018 and is managed as a mostly self-sustaining YCT fishery that can require supplemental stocking. Besides stocked YCT, Corner Lake has self-sustaining lake chub, which were likely introduced while being used as live bait.
Since tiger trout are sterile, their numbers can be highly managed by stocking practices. Corner Lake has abundant introduced lake chub that may provide adequate forage opportunities for tiger trout. Converting biomass of an introduced species to a desirable recreational species such as tiger trout could improve the recreational fishery at Corner Lake.
This project would begin in 2025. Stocking will likely occur via helicopter; however, they may be stocked with pack stock and/or backpacks.
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Public Comment Opportunity
Deadline: Comments are due by 5 p.m. on June 5, 2025.
Written comments can be mailed to:
Montana FWP Region 5
Attn: Corner Lake Tiger Trout
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, MT 59105
Emailed comments can be sent to bryan.giordano@mt.gov.
Please use subject: Corner Lake Tiger Trout