V January 9, 1981 



RECE|y E0 



Fred Robinson 



Department of Natural Resources JAN I 2 jqci 



32 South Erving 0/ 



Helena, lit. 59601 



MONT, ofpt « . 



r j.*:.o* Mr. Robinson: 



This leLi.jr is in resnonL-e to your request concern ; ng inform- 

 ation on fishing pressure and fish populations in the Kootenai River 

 downstream from. Kootenai Falls. The creel census conducted by Pat 

 Graham upstream fror, Kootenai Falls in 1978 indicated that this section 

 was the most intensively used part of the river. Unfortunately, 

 little quantitative data is available on the fishing pressure down- 

 stream fro:: Kootenai Falls. However, personal observations and 

 conversations with anglers have indicated that the stretch of river 

 from Kootenai Falls downstream to the "Sturgeon Hole" (approximately 

 1.4 miles) is a popular area for anglers. The catch consists prLmarely 

 of rainbow trout with numerous mountain whitefish being caught in 

 the winter months. 



Data collected in electrof.ishing surveys conducted near Troy 

 from 1971-197U and in 1978 indicated that the rainbow trout populations 

 in this area of the river were markedly less than those found upstream 

 from the falls. Additional sampling is scheduled in 1931 for the Troy 

 area, and this data w 11 provi ,e information on the current status 

 of trout populations in the vicinity of Troy. 



I have also enclosed the reports that you requested. 



Sincerely, 



Bruce itay 

 Rll, Eox 1270 

 Libby, Lit. 59923 



enc 

 Bll/pd 



