Field Trips
Beaverhead, Ruby, & Big Hole
Montana's cold water fisheries fall under the stewardship of Montana biologists, Matt Jaegar and Jim Olsen. Join host, Lauren Karnopp in the first series of Field Trips.
FWP is launching several research efforts in response to trout declines in the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers. In partnership with Montana State University, the following efforts will examine fish mortality, recruitment and health.
FWP and MSU are tagging trout in the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and Madison rivers. With help from anglers, these tags will help researchers identify individual fish and monitor their health, survival, movement and other indicators over time. Staff plan to tag fish each year for the next three years.
Each tag has a unique number and will be attached to the fish near the dorsal fin. Anglers should use clippers to remove the tag from the fish as close to the skin as possible while minimizing handling time and exposure to air, then submit a report for each tagged fish they catch. These reports will include information such as the tag number, date, location, condition of the fish, gear type used, and whether the angler released or harvested the fish. See below for a how-to video on this process.
Anglers who submit reports may also be eligible for rewards. Blue tags will be entered into a drawing for gear and fishing trips. Yellow tags are each worth $100. Anglers can submit reports below or by calling 406-994-2384.
Fish mortality study - A mortality study on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers, as well as the Madison River, will include tagging adult fish to assess how flows, water temperatures, angling and disease influence survival. This study would also help measure the success of adaptive management plans for the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers that propose adjustments to fishing regulations in response to changes in trout populations.
Juvenile fish study - A juvenile fish study will focus on developing a better understanding of trout recruitment and the relative contributions of tributary spawning areas to mainstem trout populations. This would include using otolith microchemistry to examine fish movements and age, as well as geographical origins of juvenile fish.
Fish health study - A fish health study will examine the level that disease is impacting fish populations in the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers. This would include testing for novel pathogens and determining better ways to routinely sample fish for disease in the future.
Fish Health Monitoring - FWP is increasing fish health monitoring and reporting resources on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers, including the new web portal sickfish.mt.gov.
New angling restrictions were adopted on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers:
Regulation Changes (PDF)
March 15, 2024 - FWP, MSU seek help from anglers who catch tagged fish in Upper Missouri River Basin
January 24, 2024 - FWP hires additional staff for fish monitoring in Jefferson Basin
July 28 - FWP to work with partners to determine cause of trout declines on rivers of southwest Montana
July 19 - Warm water, low flows prompt hoot-owl restrictions on Jefferson, Beaverhead and Bitterroot rivers
July 6 - FWP's response to trout declines in Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers
July 6 - FWP to use drought restriction criteria as in years past
June 30 - FWP launches new public portal to report sightings of sick or dead fish
June 16 - Emergency fishing restrictions adopted for Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers
Beaverhead, Ruby, & Big Hole
Montana's cold water fisheries fall under the stewardship of Montana biologists, Matt Jaegar and Jim Olsen. Join host, Lauren Karnopp in the first series of Field Trips.