Three tributaries to the Clark Fork are classified as 

 Class 1 streams (highest fishery resource value) . These 

 include Rock Creek (near Missoula) , the Blackfoot River, and 

 Fish Creek. 



Rock Creek is one of the most highly valued and popular 

 trout streams in Montana. The subbasin is nationally 

 renowned and supports heavy angling pressure during the 

 summer season. Because of this pressure, special restric- 

 tions have been enforced in recent years. 



The Blackfoot River drainage is extensively used for 

 fishing, floating, and camping. Many Missoula County 

 residents use the Blackfoot for recreation, accounting for 60 

 percent of the total use. Fishing is the primary activity of 

 more than 80 percent of those using the river (Walker 1977) . 

 A recreation corridor was established on the river in 1975 

 (Blackfoot River State Recreation Area) whereby local 

 government and landowners cooperate in managing the river for 

 recreation. The Blackfoot River is the most frequently 

 floated river in west central Montana. 



Fish Creek is a tributary with high quality trout 

 habitat that drains directly into the mainstem Clark Fork 

 about 20 miles downstream from Missoula. The stream is an 

 important spawning area for trout and it is heavily used by 

 regional fishermen. 



A significant fishery also exists in the 2,850-acre 

 Georgetown Lake on Flint Creek. Georgetown Lake receives 

 extremely heavy angling pressure both summer and winter. 

 Fishermen's catch rates are among the highest in the state. 



Other important tributaries of the Clark Fork that 

 support a trout fishery, but may be somewhat less productive 

 because of altered habitat, poor streamflow, or other 

 factors, include the Bitterroot, St. Regis, and Thompson 

 rivers. These streams are all rated as Class II (high- 

 priority fishery resource value) . 



Fishing and other water-related recreation are probably 

 below their potential on the mainstem, likely due in part to 

 water quality degradation that limits the fishery in many 

 reaches of the river and the high level of development 

 adjacent to and near the river (railroad tracks, interstate 

 highway, frontage roads, high voltage power lines, etc.) 

 However, the mainstem of the Clark Fork throughout most of 

 its length is rated as a Class II stream, and it does 

 provide significant recreational opportunities, primarily for 

 fishing, boating, or rafting. 



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