preceding sections of this report? the average expenditure per person 

 per day is dependent upon a number of factors,, Of these factors, the 

 miles traveled is the most important as it in turn affects trip ex- 

 penditures (Table l6)„ The average expenditure per pound of fish is 

 affected not only by the total expenditure per person per day, but also 

 by the rate of catch (both in numbers and pounds of fish per hour). 

 Expenditures per surface area of water or mile of stream are indirectly 

 affected by the same factors as those affecting expenditures per person 

 or per pound of fish,, 



Although the Madison River may not be particultfrly outstand- 

 ing as regards the return to the fisherman in fish per hour of effort, 

 it is highly productive of fairly large fish and probably can support 

 a considerable greater amount of fishing without affecting its produc- 

 tivity. It has a widespread reputation as a good fishing stream, is 

 relatively easy to fish, lies in an area of prevailing fair weather 

 during the fishing season and in an area of natural scenic beauty, and 

 contributes much to the local economy; therefore, in view of increasing 

 demands for fishing and the increasing number of streams that are being 

 modified through water development, every consideration should be given 

 to maintaining this stream in a productive natural state. 



SUMMARY 



1. Fishing pressure and yield of 119 miles of the Madison River in 

 Montana, including two onstream reservoirs - Madison and Hebgen - 

 was determined over the three-year period 1950 to 1952. The river 

 was divided into three more or less equal sections, one of which 

 was studied in each of the three years. For the purpose of this 

 report, it has been assumed that there was no difference in the 

 relative use and yield of the three sections from year to year. 



2. Estimated annual fishing and yield from the fishery as a whole was 

 1*0,772 fisherman -days and 80 s li3>9 fish weighing 92,682 pounds. 

 Separated into the component fisheries, i.e., stream (98 river- 

 miles) or reservoir (Madison, 3,800 acres, and Hebgen, 13,200 

 acres) j, the annual fishing and yield for the stream fishery was 

 22,660 fisherman-days and 52,U2l4 fish weighing 1*8,385 pounds and 

 that for the reservoir fishery was 18,112 fisherman-days and 

 28,035 fish weighing 3U»297 pounds,, 



3. Species of fish taken by anglers from the fishery as a whole were? 

 rainbow trout, 65. h percent; brown trout, 22.1 percent; brook trout, 

 0.2 percent; cutthroat trout, 0.2 percent; grayling, 0.5 percent; 

 whitefish, 6.6 percent; suckers, U.5 percent; and Utah chub, 0.6 

 percent. 



Lu Rates of catch in fish per hour and pounds per hour of effort 

 varied from 0.U3 to 0.82 and 0.38 to 0.67, respectively, for 



36 



