Bighorn Brown Trout Boom: Brett French Radio Show Preview
By angelamontana

Posted: April 5, 2013

Brown trout numbers have soared on the Bighorn River in south-central Montana, thanks to previous wet years.  According to the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, surveys conducted last year on the upper river showed it held about 8,000 fish per mile.  That figure includes about 2,900 brown trout 9 inches or larger per mile and about 1,300 rainbow trout 9 inches and larger per mile.  Adding in smaller fish brought the total up to 8,000.

On the lower stretch of the river just below Yellowtail Dam, FWP counted 1,950 brown trout 9 inches and larger per mile but only 134 rainbow trout 9 inches and larger per mile. Including smaller fish, the total count was 2,600 fish per mile. Rainbow trout don’t do as well in that lower section, hence the smaller numbers.

Looking ahead, the Bighorn Reservoir, which supplies the river with water, is 86 percent full but a low mountain snowpack isn’t very promising for a boost from spring runoff. Typically, April and May are wet months, but so far drought conditions have prevailed. With less water, the river’s fish become more crowded and young trout lose the side channels they need to avoid being eaten.

(This post was written by Brett French, Outdoors Editor of the Billings Gazette)

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