The rainbow trout is Montana’s number one game fish. Rainbow trout were introduced from numerous hatchery stocks into virtually every suitable habitat in the state, beginning in 1889. Scientists believe that only the rainbow trout of the upper Kootenai River drainage are native to this state.
What trout species are in Montana?
Cutthroat, rainbow, bull, and lake Trout are Montana’s native trouts, which means that these species were discovered living in Montana’s waters, although many of these species were introduced into waters that were not their native range.
Are brown trout native to Montana?
The brown trout belongs to a different genus than our native trout species. They evolved in Europe and western Asia and were introduced to North America in 1883 and to Montana in 1889 in the Madison River. Today brown trout are found throughout most of Montana except the northwest and parts of the east.
How do you identify Montana trout?
Lake trout have more spots than bull trout and their tail fins have deeper forks, according to Fishes of Montana. Bull trout’s spots are a pale yellow on their back and red or orange going down the side. Lake trout have light gray spots, never red or orange.
Are brown trout invasive to Montana?
Browns, Brooks, Goldens, Rainbow trout are all introduced invaders. Many other fish species are also no-natives. The Fishery Biologists had not intended for negative outcomes but… The only native trout/ troutlike species in Montana were Cutthroats, Grayling, and whitefish.
What is the most popular fish in Montana?
Trout
1. Trout. You can’t leave Montana without catching some trout since it is home to many trout species.
Does Montana have tiger trout?
Missoula angler Jake Lee holds a tiger trout he caught while fishing Rock Creek east of Missoula. A tiger trout is the sterile hybrid of a brook trout and brown trout.
Is a 20 inch brown trout big?
Anything 18 inches and over is a big one. 20 inches and over are considered trophy size. Anything over 24 inches is a true monster. The state puts some big fish out there, but wild fish of this size do exist, but they are rare and a different breed to catch.
Where are the biggest trout in America?
Yellowstone River (Montana)
The longest undammed river in the Lower 48, the Yellowstone offers some of the best trout fishing not only in America but on the planet.
Are bull trout native to Montana?
The native Bull Trout has been determined to be a separate species from the coastal Dolly Varden. Bull Trout are found in the Clark Fork and Flathead drainages of western Montana, and their slowly declining trend has led to their designation as a threatened species.
How big are trout in Montana?
The state record for rainbow trout is over 33 pounds, and fish of up to 10 pounds are common in some of our most productive waters.
What fish is Montana known for?
Cutthroat, Brown, Rainbow and Brookie- Montana is world famous for its trout fishing. But whether you’re on the rivers, searching the alpine lakes or checking out the reservoirs and ponds, you’re going to find more than trout swimming in our waters.
How many rainbow trout can you keep in Montana?
5 daily
Standard Regulations: Western District
| Species | Daily & Possession Limits |
|---|---|
| Trout Combined Trout includes brown, rainbow, golden, and grayling | Rivers/Streams: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches. Lakes/Reservoirs: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 22 inches daily. |
What rivers in Montana have bull trout?
2020 BULL TROUT REGULATIONS
Bull trout fishing is permitted in four western district waters of Montana: Hungry Horse Reservoir, South Fork Flathead River, Lake Koocanusa and Swan Lake.
Where was the biggest rainbow trout caught?
Lake Diefenbaker
The largest rainbow trout was caught in September 2009 in Lake Diefenbaker. This lake is located in Southern Saskatchewan and still is a very productive rainbow trout fishery. New Zealand and Canada are traditionally home to some monstrous trout so it’s no surprise that the world record was found in Canada.
Where are brown trout originally from?
Brown trout are considered native in Iceland, Europe, western Asia and northwestern Africa. These highly adaptable trout have been extensively introduced and now occur on every major continent except Antarctica. Brown trout have been propagated within North America since the late 1800s including the state of Virginia.
What trout is in Yellowstone?
In Yellowstone Lake, lake trout are a major predator of cutthroat trout. In other waters, brown, brook, and rainbow trout all compete with cutthroat trout for food and habitat.
What is the biggest fish caught in Montana?
Montana Record Table
| Fish | Length (inches) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | 42.5 | 42.69 lbs. |
| Lake Whitefish | 27 | 10.46 lbs. |
| Largemouth Bass | 22.5 | 9.58 lbs. |
| * Largescale Sucker | 23.1 | 6.16 lbs. |
Are there wild salmon in Montana?
One of two Pacific salmon species in Montana, the chinook salmon, was introduced into Fort Peck Reservoir during the 1980s in an effort to produce a trophy fishery. Like all Pacific salmon species, the chinook dies after spawning.
What lakes in Montana have golden trout?
Lightning Lake, a notoriously difficult lake to access, is known as one of the best golden-trout fisheries in the Rocky Mountains. Mystic and Aero lakes are also popular.
What’s the biggest catfish caught in Montana?
Roberta Legge in December landed the state’s largest-recorded yellow bullhead catfish — measuring 15.5 inches and weighing 1.910 pounds — out of the Tongue River reservoir. Robbie Dockter in March reeled in a record-breaking brown trout from the Marias River, measuring 37 inch and a whopping 32.42 pounds.
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