Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration in Trapper and Rock Creeks, Big Hole River Drainage FWP-CEA-FSH-R3-25-022

May 23, 2025 12:00 AM

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) proposes to restore native westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) in Trapper and Rock (near Wisdom) creeks in the Big Hole River drainage. Competition and predation by brook trout have significantly reduced WCT distribution in both streams. Fish barriers (small wooden waterfalls) have been or will be constructed in both Trapper and Rock creeks. We propose to remove brook trout upstream of these fish barriers using the piscicide rotenone. We would salvage WCT prior to brook trout removal and restock them once the project is complete. Hybridized cutthroat would also be removed from Trapper Lake, and the lake would be restocked with Arctic grayling. This action would expand the range of WCT in both creeks from approximately 1 mile of stream in the headwaters to over 10 miles of creek and should secure the long-term survival of WCT and the unique genetics of these native fish.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. . Public meetings are scheduled for June 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Wisdom Community Center and on June 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Melrose School where the proposed action will be presented and questions addressed. Written comments will also be accepted at this meeting.

Comments on this EA can be mailed to:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Trapper-Rock Creek Native Fish Restoration

Attn: Jim Olsen

1820 Meadowlark Ln.

Butte, MT 59701

Or e-mailed to: jimolsen@mt.gov