results also provided a catalyst for ftinding of a partial warden position directed to these 

 conflict areas in 2006. 



Finally, we completed a study quantifying the physical characteristics of bull trout 

 spawning sites. Study results can be used to 1) assist in future restorations actions, 2) 

 assess spawning suitability of restored sites, and 3) help identify historical spawning 

 areas (Results Part IV). 



Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation 



WSCT, a Species of Special Concern in Montana, have declined over much of 

 their historic range within the last century. These declines are most pronounced east of 

 the Continental Divide in the upper Missouri River drainage (Shepard et al. 2003). 

 Reasons for the decline include habitat loss and degradation, genetic introgression with 

 introduced rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, over harvest and competition 

 with introduced brook trout and brown trout (Liknes 1984; AUendorf and Leary 1988; 

 Liknes and Graham 1988; Mclntyre and Rieman 1995; Shepard et al. 2003). In the 

 Blackfoot Watershed, WSCT occupy -90% of historical range. The Blackfoot River also 

 supports one of the larger fluvial meta-populations of genetically unaltered WSCT (upper 

 drainage) in Montana (Pierce et al. 2004), but at population abundance well below habitat 

 capacity (Shepard et al. 2003). 



Within the Blackfoot Watershed correcting habitat degradation, understanding 

 (and managing) the specific threats by non-native brook trout while maintaining the fiill 

 expression of WSCT life histories represents a formidable long-term conservation 

 challenge. In order to better understand the ecological relationships of WSCT and brook 

 trout with their environments, FWP undertook a doctorate-level research project in waters 

 of western Montana beginning in 2005. This research involves examining the 

 interactions of both species in habitats ranging from a reach to a landscape level. The 

 project will also examine WSCT-related restoration techniques. Results of this study, 

 particularly those generated within the Blackfoot, should help focus local future WSCT 

 conservation measures. 



Degradation and alteration of WSCT habitat are extensive in the Blackfoot 

 Watershed, particularly at the low elevations of the basin where heavy riparian grazing, 

 irrigation and road crossings are common WSCT impairments (Pierce et al. 2004; 2005). 

 A recent telemetry study of fluvial WSCT in the Blackfoot River upstream of the North 

 Fork found no use by fluvial Blackfoot River WSCT for a large contiguous region 

 covering 43% of the upper basin (Pierce et al. 2004). This area extends from Garnet 

 Mountains upsfream of the North Fork confluence and includes the Nevada Creek 

 watershed. This large-scale level of impairment may explain extremely low densities of 

 WSCT and other frout species in the Wales Creek section of the Blackfoot River (Results 

 Part II; Appendix C). 



WSCT conservation began in 1990 with the adoption of catch-and-release 

 angling regulations for all Blackfoot drainage streams and then expanded with habitat 

 restoration. In conjunction with fluvial bull trout recovery, the focus of WSCT recovery 

 is re-establishing the fluvial life-history form by: 1) reducing or eliminating controllable 

 sources of anthropogenic mortality; 2) maintaining and restoring existing spawning and 

 rearing habitats; 3) restoring damaged habitats; 4) improving connectivity from the 

 Blackfoot River to fluvial spawning areas; and 5) maintaining certain genetically "pure" 



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