Montana Cutthroat, Rainbow Trout Fishing & Other Species

MONTANA - WORLD FAMOUS FOR TROUT FISHING!
Montana is famous for its fly fishing, so much so that every year people from all over the world come to fish Montana for its trout. Indeed, most of Montana's blue ribbon rivers and lakes hold so many varied species of trout in such breathtakingly beautiful surroundings that movies like 'A River Runs Through It' and 'Lonesome Dove II' have been shot in this state.

"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." - NORMAN MACLEAN, A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, 1976

Although Montana's state treasure is by far its different species of trout, westslope cutthroat, lake, rainbow, and bull trout are the state's true native species. These species were discovered living in Montana's waters. European settlers introduced other species of trout, including golden, brown and brook. Further, while trout scientifically refers to a species of fish that come from Eurasia, more commonly it is used to describe two other groups of fish, salmonids and char [see below]. TROUT SPECIES True Trout Brown Salmonid Cutthroat Golden Rainbow Char Brook Bull Lake Annual fishing logs of 848 avid fishermen who fish in Montana informed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that the five most commonly caught fish during spring and summer were rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, yellow perch and kokanee salmon. In winter, the top five most commonly caught fish were rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch, kokanee salmon, and mountain whitefish. "Here comes the trout that must be caught with tickling." - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, TWELFTH NIGHT SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN Initially there was a diverse native fish population in pre-settlement Montana, but over the years a number of fish species have been placed in jeopardy. Westslope cutthroat trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, bull trout, and the Artic grayling are considered "species of special concern" by the state of Montana. This is due to dams, a decline in traditional habitats, reduced distribution, the introduction of non-native fish, disease, and over fishing. While research and management programs are now being developed to save and enhance these critical populations, the cooperation of fishermen in complying with special regulations governing Montana's native fish will be vital to the species' survival. "I am not against golf, since I cannot but suspect it keeps armies of the unworthy from discovering trout." - PAUL O'NEIL To protect Montana's superb trout fishing, fishermen ought to be aware of which trout are endangered and how to identify them. For example, cutthroat trout can often be mistaken for rainbow trout. Fishing enthusiasts can differentiate between the two by flipping the fish over and looking under the jaw. If the trout has a red or orange stripe under the jaw, then it is a cutthroat trout. Many Montana waters require that the cutthroat trout be released immediately. Also, it is unlawful to fish for bull trout except in specifically designated waterways. A bull trout can easily be mistaken for brook trout or lake trout. Like a brook trout, a bull trout has white on the front or leading edge of the lower fins. To identify a bull trout, check that the dorsal or top fin is a clear olive color with no black spots or dark wavy lines. "It is only the inexperienced and thoughtless who find pleasure in killing fish for the mere sake of killing them. No sportsman does this." - W.C. PRIME, 1888 For the sake of maintaining legendary trout fishing local and visiting fishermen should check their fishing district regulations to learn where they can fish for which species. With that done, grab your fishing gear and head for the water. Because it's always great fishing in Montana!