abundant in tributary streams. Mountain whitefish are 

 abundant throughout the drainage and provide a winter 

 fishery. Bull trout are found throughout the drainage in 

 small numbers. Kokanee salmon and rainbow trout provide a 

 large portion of the fishery in Georgetown Lake. Lake 

 whitefish are common in the lower two reservoirs. Warm water 

 species such as yellow perch and largemouth bass are found 

 locally throughout the drainage. Northern pike are found in 

 the Clark Fork below the Flathead River, including the lower 

 three reservoirs. 



The basin is widely known for its big game hunting. 

 Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, mountain goat, 

 bighorn sheep, black bear, grizzly bear, and mountain lion 

 are the big game species currently hunted in the basin. 

 Numerous species of upland game birds are also hunted. Most 

 important among these are blue, ruffed, and spruce grouse; 

 Hungarian partridge; and pheasant. Several species of 

 mammals classified as furbearing and/or predatory are hunted 

 or trapped for their pelts. Notable among these are mink, 

 muskrat, marten, beaver, otter, wolverine, bobcat, lynx, 

 coyote, and weasel. Many species of waterfowl inhabit the 

 basin or stop there during migration and provide substantial 

 hunting recreation. In addition, a large number of nongame 

 animals inhabit the basin, including some classified as rare 

 or endangered, such as northern Rocky Mountain wolf, bald 

 eagle, and peregrine falcon. 



IMPORTANT TRIBUTARIES 



The many tributaries of the Clark Fork are an integral 

 part of the environmental conditions in the river basin. 

 Snowpack and precipitation at the higher elevations of the 

 tributary headwaters control streamflows in the mainstem. 

 Land uses such as timber harvest, mining, and agriculture in 

 the tributary basins can significantly affect the rivers' 

 water quality. The primary benefits of most tributaries are 

 the inflow of clean dilution water and their role as spawning 

 and recruitment areas for the Clark Fork fisheries. 



Table 1-1 describes and summarizes the features of 

 important tributaries of the Clark Fork. Additional 

 information on some of these streams is found in the text of 

 this report. 



1-14 



