State's electrofishing project approved

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 office has approved the Flathead River Hybrid Trout Suppression Project after completing an environmental assessment.

The project calls for continuing to remove hybrid trout and rainbow trout from the mouths and channels of Abbot, Sekokini, Rabe, Ivy and Third creeks in the mainstem and the North Fork of the Flathead River. The goal is to minimize the loss of westslope cutthroat trout populations in the Flathead River system.

Trapping and electrofishing will be used to catch fish during their spawning season from April to May. The nonnative fish will then be transported to community fishing ponds. Electrofishing will also take place between July and September to remove hybrid trout and rainbow trout offspring.

Based on comments received during the 30-day public comment period, no changes were made to the draft environmental assessment.

For more information, contact fisheries biologist Amber Steed at 751-4541 or asteed@mt.gov.