Tiger trout introduction to Crater Lake: Draft Checklist Environmental Assessment
May 22, 2025 3:32 PM
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is proposing to introduce tiger trout from a state hatchery operated by FWP into Crater 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 state of Montana land, Crater Lake is high-elevation lake (6,612 ft) in the Beartooth Mountains that is 2.3 surface acres with a max depth of 36 feet. The lake is accessible via hiking trail from West Rosebud Road. Historically, it has been stocked with rainbow trout periodically since 1955 and is managed as a put-grow-take fishery. Besides stocked rainbow trout, Crater Lake has self-sustaining lake chub, which were likely introduced while being used as live bait.
Tiger trout would be added to the stocking program for Crater Lake to provide a unique recreational opportunity and to provide some biocontrol of lake chub, a nongame species. Since tiger trout are sterile, their numbers can be highly managed by stocking practices.
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: Crater Lake Tiger Trout
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, MT 59105
Emailed comments can be sent to bryan.giordano@mt.gov.
Please use subject: Crater Lake Tiger Trout