There was a general decline in the size and weight of trout 

 from the mouth of the river to Hebgen Dam; on the other hand, white- 

 fish were generally larger in the upper reaches of the river (Table 5). 

 The same general rule applied to the size and weight of these species 

 in Madison Reservoir as compared to the upstream Hebgen Reservoir. 



Fishermen appeared to be about equally divided as to their 

 use of natural baits or artificial lures. Natural baits, including 

 angleworms, grubs, and insects (salmon flies and grasshoppers), were 

 used most commonly in the early part of the season,, Artificial flies, 

 dare-devils, and spinners were used most frequently during the latter 

 part of the season, A few fishermen used v, minnows" ( Cottus sp„) 

 which were excellent for catching large fish. Fishermen using minnows 

 frequently caught trout weighing four or more pounds. Trolling with 

 lures, bait, or a combination of both was the most popular means of 

 fishing in the reservoirs. The popularity of the spinning rod notice- 

 ably increased each year,, 



The largest recorded trout was a rainbow 32 inches long, 

 weighing 5 pounds (dressed). The largest recorded brown trout was 

 2I4 inches long and weighed 5 pounds. Trout over 2lt inches in length 

 were uncommon and less than 25 fish of 2\\ or more inches in length 

 were recorded in any one year. Legal limits of 15 trout (or 10 

 pounds and 1 trout) per person were seldom recorded, however this 

 does not mean that limits were not taken by many individuals,, 



The percent of men, women, and children (under 16 years 

 of age) using the river wass men, 83 5 women$ 12 j and children, 5, 

 There was some variation from these percentages in certain areas; 

 for instance, in the more inaccessible Upper Bear Trap Canyon and 

 Channel Areas, the percentage of men was 8? and 87, respectively, 

 while the percentage of women was only 8 and 9 percent respectively; 

 and in the McAtee Area 16 percent of the fishermen were women as 

 against 79 percent men. The percent of men, women, and children 

 using the two reservoirs weres Madison Reservoir— 70 percent men, 

 22 percent women, and 8 percent children; and Hebgen Reservoir — 71 

 percent men, 23 percent women, and 6 percent children. 



Nonresident fishermen were represented to the extent of 

 6 percent in the Lower Section, 22 percent in the Middle Section, 

 and 55 percent in the Upper Section, Many of the nonresidents un- 

 doubtedly were attracted to the Upper Section by its natural beauty 

 (Frontispiece) and proximity to Yellowstone National Park, as well 

 as by the river's reputation as a good fishing stream. Fishermen 

 from liO states, Washington, D C, Alaska, Canada, and South America 

 were contacted during the study, Arkansas was the only state west 

 of the Mississippi River not represented. 



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