Wild Trout - A Montana Fish Story - Trout Unlimited

In the 1970’s, young Montana biologist Dick Vincent discovered that stocking hatchery-reared trout on top of wild trout populations in the Madison River actually suppressed trout fishing. Based on his research, the state of Montana prohibited stocking streams occupied by wild trout populations turning fisheries managers’ attention to restoring habitat quality after decades of pollution, damming, and drying up streams. The shift in focus to quality stream habitat changed the trajectory of Montana’s legendary trout fisheries from a steady decline to world class. Since Montana’s wild trout policy took hold, angler conservationists with Trout Unlimited and its partners have unleashed four decades of restoring streams and the quantity and quality of the cold, clean waters trout and anglers depend upon. Wild Trout: A Montana Fish Story chronicles Montana’s conversion to wild trout fisheries and the profound changes still evident in our beloved trout fisheries.

[@FIFA15Savagers]

Thanks for sharing this incredible piece of history, and kudos to the forward-thinking actions taken in Montana to preserve and enhance their wild trout fisheries. It's inspiring to see how a shift in focus from stocking to habitat restoration can make such a significant impact. As someone in Texas, I appreciate the insights into the challenges and efforts involved in developing trout fishing in designated streams. Weather limitations can indeed pose challenges, but your dedication to creating a healthy environment for trout is commendable. Let's hope other regions, like Canada's Black River, can adopt similar conservation practices to safeguard their own wild trout populations. Passionate anglers and organizations like Trout Unlimited play a vital role in shaping the future of fisheries, and it's heartening to see their dedication recognized. Keep up the good work, and may more areas follow the example set by Montana!

[@jeromedamian5740]

It takes passion in ones soul to understand the past and the future of are fisheries, especially for those who spend time as often as possible on the water. Its so awesome that people have taken time to protect and educate themselves for the benefit of the future of those fisheries. Its been a bit different in California its become a divided issue by those who want planted fish open year round versus those who want wild fish closed season fisheries. One topic is they want to eradicate some of the fish species out of the fisheries because they are not native. Especially in the wild and scenic areas. So its a bit difficult in California.

[@bpdp379]

Ballot box biology in CA isn’t helping either.

[@johnnyboy4me]

Thanks for educating me. I live in Texas and we are trying to develope trout fishing in designated streams that permit a healthy environment. Obviously we are limited due to the weather. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinmaly59]

Love trout fishing!!!

[@waggscole4971]

South Carolina needs to take note

[@WildFishStories]

Great story

[@CannueFarm]

amazing
just amazing

[@Airdaman1]

the clothes in the 70s were special haha

[@skypieper]

Awesome! can't wait to visit again, hell might have to move there.

[@uramag7]

thanks Richard!

[@CannueFarm]

PLEASE DO THIS IN CANADA!!!!!! TO THE BLACK RIVER!!!! IM LITERALLY WATCHING OUR OWN WILD TROUT BE COMPLETELY ENDANGERED NUMBERES!!!!! DUE TO HEAVEY HEAVEY LOGGING AND CLEAR CUTTING THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT HERE :(

[@randallnadeau1691]

Wtf, when was this made? 1950

[@MrJermy]

Holy shit your attention span doesn't even last 40 seconds? You need help.

[@randellgribben9772]

now most of that part of the river is . PAY TO PLAY..

[@jonathankrivec9907]

randell gribben how so?

[@westfork]

@@jonathankrivec9907 The rivers aren't, but many of the Spring Creeks are.