HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Dustin Temple and FWP Region 3 Fisheries Manager Mike Duncan will discuss plans to address the trout decline in the Jefferson River Basin at a virtual press conference Thursday, June 6, at 10 a.m.
Background:
- On June 6, FWP announced new efforts to research and monitor trout population declines in the Jefferson Basin to better inform the state’s strategies and response. FWP also proposed temporary angling restrictions on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which the commission adopted.
- On June 7, FWP Director Temple sat down with business owners and guides in Butte to discuss trout population declines in the Jefferson Basin.
- In response to that meeting, FWP has prioritized and will develop and implement additional fish population and health studies on the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and Madison rivers and monitor angler use on the Gallatin Rivers. These efforts will initiate data gathering and will include additional FWP staff, including creel clerks, as well as Montana State University professors and graduate students.
LOGISTICS
What: FWP press conference discussing research plans for Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and Madison rivers
Who: FWP Director Dustin Temple, FWP Region 3 Fish Manager Mike Duncan
When: 10 a.m. Thursday, July 6
RSVP: Members of the press who plan to attend the virtual press conference, must email Ryan Johnson at ryan.johnson@mt.gov by 9 a.m. Thursday morning. A link for the conference will be sent prior to the meeting.
