Golden trout populations in Montana were found only in 

 lakes; no stream populations were found. All waters were acces- 

 sible by maintained Forest trails, except Lightning and Cave 

 lakes. Distances from trail heads to lake shores ranged from 2 

 to 8 miles. 



Stocking Histories 



The existing 14 stocks of golden trout were the result of 

 egg shipments to Montana between 1928 and 1938 from collecting 

 facilities at Cottonwood lakes, California; Surprise Lake, Wyo- 

 ming and transplants from Sylvan Lake (Table 2) . 



Catch Data, 1981 



During August 1981, 19 experimental nets were set in 13 

 alpine lakes where golden trout populations were anticipated. 

 Golden trout were captured in all but two lakes. Two experi- 

 mental nets set in Cave Lake were folded to increase the catch- 

 able surface area, but no fish were captured or observed. The 

 lack of catch was assumed a result of small yearling fish, inade- 

 quate mesh size and small numbers of fish (stocked at 84/acre in 

 1980). An overnight gill net set August 8, 1982 captured five 2- 

 year-old goldens. 



It was also known to this investigator that brook trout 

 coexisted with golden trout in Fourmile Basin Lake #3 near 

 Anaconda. An experimental net set overnight in this lake 

 captured only brook trout. 



Another experimental net was set in Hidden Lake in the Bear- 

 tooth Mountain Range. The last sampling of this water in 1976 

 produced equal numbers of Age Class II golden and cutthroat trout 

 (Marcuson 1980) . The net set in 1981 captured only cutthroat 

 trout. No golden trout were observed and goldens are assumed 

 extinct in Hidden Lake. 



Examination of hatchery records at Anaconda revealed golden 

 trout were stocked in two of eight lakes in Fourmile Creek Basin 

 in 1977. Evidence of these fish appeared in Fourmile Basin Lake 

 #4; none were captured or observed in Fourmile Basin Lake #5. 

 Records also showed Duck and Shrimp lakes in nearby Twin Creek 

 drainage were stocked at the same time. No nets were set in 

 these lakes, and again it is assumed that goldens occupied these 

 waters in 1981; however, no reproduction was expected (Vashro, 

 pers. comm. ) . 



Island Lake in Mission Mountains yielded the largest over- 

 night catch of golden trout in a gill net. Numerous fish were 

 observed jumping and swimming shoal areas. Individual fish were 

 mostly small, less than .25 pounds. The population density 

 appeared greater than optimum for available food and space. 

 Reproduction was obvious and mortality from angling appears 

 insignificant. 



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