1. Stream Connectivity in the Clark Fork Watershed
Balancing Fish Passage, Sport Fisheries and Native Fish Conservation
Ladd Knotek
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

2. Middle Clark Fork River
Flathead River
ST REGIS
MISSOULA
Blackfoot River
Upper Clark Fork
Bitterroot River
Rock Creek

3. Introduced Trout Species Middle Clark Fork Main Stem
Rainbow Trout
70-92% of trout
( / mile)
Brown Trout
1-21% of trout
(4-70 / mile)

4. Native Trout Species Middle Clark Fork Main Stem
W. Cutthroat Trout
8-14% of trout
(22-42 / mile)
Bull Trout
< 2% of trout
(0-3 / mile)

5. Other Native Fish Species Middle Clark Fork Main Stem

6. Migrating Fish Impeded by Milltown Dam

7. Middle Clark Fork River
ST REGIS
MISSOULA
MISSOULA
Bitterroot River

8. Common Trout Species Middle Clark Fork Tributaries
W. Cutthroat Trout
Brook Trout
Bull Trout

9. Rattlesnake Creek Drainage

10. FISHERY / SOCIAL
LIFE HISTORY
DIVERSITY FOR
NATIVE FISH
GENETIC INTEGRITY /
EVOLUTIONARY
POTENTIAL FOR
NATIVE FISH

11. Fishery / Social Aspects
Maintain Wild Trout Fisheries
Based on Non-native Trout Populations
Requires: Connectivity of Stream Habitats
Stream Habitat Protection
Restrictive Angling Practices
Emphasis on Stream Habitat Restoration
Sport Fisheries are Big Business

12. Middle Clark Fork River
Estimated Angler Use
Middle Clark Fork River

13. Rate of Degradation from Current Protection and Restoration
Human Development
EXCEEDS
Current Protection and Restoration
Efforts

14. FISHERY / SOCIAL
LIFE HISTORY
DIVERSITY FOR
NATIVE FISH
GENETIC INTEGRITY /
EVOLUTIONARY
POTENTIAL FOR
NATIVE FISH

15. Life History Diversity for Native Fish
Maintains Genetic Exchange Among Populations
Reduces Risk of Catostrophic Loss
Requires: Connectivity of Stream Habitats
Stream Habitat Protection
Restrictive Angling Practices
Direct Benefit to Sport Fisheries
Risk of Hybridization & Invasion by Non-natives

16. LIFE FORMS OF WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT
Adult Stream-resident
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Adult Fluvial (Migratory)
Westslope Cutthroat Trout

17. Life History Diversity for Native Fish
Maintains Genetic Exchange Among Populations
Reduces Risk of Catostrophic Loss
Requires: Connectivity of Stream Habitats
Stream Habitat Protection
Restrictive Angling Practices
Direct Benefit to Sport Fisheries
Risk of Hybridization & Invasion by Non-natives

18. FISHERY / SOCIAL
LIFE HISTORY
DIVERSITY FOR
NATIVE FISH
GENETIC INTEGRITY /
EVOLUTIONARY
POTENTIAL FOR
NATIVE FISH

19. Genetic Integrity and Evolutionary Potential for Native Fish
Maintain Genetic ‘Purity’ of Native Populations
Reduced Risk of Hybridization, Competition & Disease
Requires: Identification of ‘Pure’ Populations
Genetic Isolation from Non-Natives
Physical Isolation for Security
Risk of Inbreeding Depression and Catostrophic Loss
Little Benefit to Sport Fisheries

20. Cutthroat Trout
Genetic Composition

21. Cutthroat Trout
Genetic Composition

22. Fish Passage Barriers at Mouths of Clark Fork Tributaries

23. FISHERY / SOCIAL
LIFE HISTORY
DIVERSITY FOR
NATIVE FISH
GENETIC INTEGRITY /
EVOLUTIONARY
POTENTIAL FOR
NATIVE FISH

25. Upstream fish Passage at Marshall Creek 2004-2005 Project
Partners: Future Fisheries, Bureau of Reclamation,
Montana Dept of Transportation

26. Upstream Fish Passage at Road Crossings Culvert Replacement on Mill Creek
Before Project
After Project

27. Upstream Fish Passage at Road Crossings Culvert Replacement on O’Brien Creek
Before Project
After Project

28. Upstream Fish Passage at Irrigation Diversions
S. Fork Lolo Creek
Mill Creek

29. Dry Creek Fish Passage Project Irrigation Diversion Removal
Before Project
After Project

31. MWC Dam at Bankfull Discharge

32. Rattlesnake Creek Drainage

33. Fish Ladder with Fish Weir Fence in Place

34. Ladder Operation vs. Timing of Trout Migration and Spawning in Rattlesnake Creek
<---Rainbow--->
<-Cutthroat->
<-----Bull Trout----->
<----Brown---->