Sources in Mountains. 



All of the affluents mentioned have their origin in ranges of mountains to the 

 north and flow in a general southerly direction, all are fairly well stocked with 

 native trout, with bull trout, and whitefish, while the main river has all of 

 these named varieties as well as Rainbow trout in some localities where plantings 

 have been made. 



There are no streams of any consequence flowing into this river from the 

 South. The Clearwater may be worthy of mention because of one peculiarity. 

 It has its origin in Sumit Lake, flows a distance of about forty miles, and in 

 that distance passes through five lakes of varying size. These lakes are named, 

 commencing at the source and proceeding towards the mouth, Rainy Lake, Alva 

 Lake, Inez Lake, Seeley Lake and Salmon Lake. 



To the west of Seeley lies Placid Lake the waters of which flow by way of 

 Owl Creek into the Clearwater. 



The presence of so many lakes along the course of this river naturally re- 

 sults in a much warmer summer temperature than in most mountain streams, but 

 this fact does not prevent the presence of numerous trout and may account for 

 swarms of squaw fish and suckers in all of the lakes named as well as in the 

 connecting links between the lakes named. 



Few Irrigating Ditches. 



One noteworthy fact may be mentioned, and that is that at no point along the 

 Blackfoot River itself, and in few places on its tributaries are there any irrigating 

 ditches into which fish may go and die when the water is turned off. Another fact 

 may be mentioned as bearing upon the question of stocking the river itself is 

 that there are few places where fry can be planted to advantage. The river 

 is large, deep, generally speaking swift with few side channels, backwater sloughs 

 or shallow places where fry would be protected from the larger predatory fish. 

 Plantings of Rainbow trout have proved successful, but Eastern Brook trout have 

 only shown good results in side streams, and in more quiet waters tributary thereto. 



The planting of fry should be conducted from various points; that is to say, from 

 the source of the river to a point about four miles west of Lincoln the plantings 

 should be made from Helena; from the last named point to Helmsville fry should be 

 planted from Helmsville. From Ovando the river and tributary streams may be 

 stocked as far west as the Cottonwood, and from this point westward fry should be 

 distributed from Missoula. 



This river as well as all its tributary streams is much fished by anglers from 

 many points, some coming from as far as Butte and Helena. 



Fish Life Does Not Suffer. 



During the spring floods the waters become muddy from the washing of soft 

 banks, but at other seasons the water is very clear and cold. Fish life does not 

 suffer from the muddy waters of spring-time while all tributary streams retain 

 their clearness at all times. 



There have been lumber operations on the lower twenty miles of the river 

 resulting in logs being floated to Bonner during the high water of June, but this 

 does not appear to have any effect upon the fishing. As there are large tracts 

 of timber lying adjacent to this river, and its tributaries it is reasonable to expect 

 that such operations may continue for many years. 



There are no sources of contamination worthy of mention, no industries along 

 Its course except farming, and no posting of either the river or its tributaries. 



From past cxporionco it would soom wise to encourage the planting of Rainbow 

 trout fry, although good results would probably follow the planting of Native 

 trout In all branches and in the upper reaches. 



The main Big Blackfoot River is a most beautiful stream, the delight of many 

 fishermen and one worthy of any effort on the part of the State Fish Commission 

 and such efforts in the past have met with hearty support from the inhabitants. 



(62) 



