They display a combination of color equaled by 

 no fish outside the tropics. The Montana grayling 

 was known to occur only in streams emptying 

 into the Missouri river, but due to successful fish 

 cultural activities, it is now found in several 

 streams and lakes on the western slope of the 

 Rockies, and, characteristic of all grayling, it pre- 

 fers the clear cold streams. The spawning season 

 is in April to June, depending upon water tem- 

 peratures. The grayling is not a voracious feeder 

 and confines its feeding habits to small forms of 

 aquatic life. Success in angling for this species 

 depends upon the selection of the smallest pos- 

 sible fly hook. The average size of this fish i? 

 from one-half to one pound, although specimens 

 weighing over two pounds have been caught. 

 INTRODUCED SPECIES 



Many of our best fishing waters are now 

 stocked with exotic species which in many cases 

 afford wonderful fishing. Included in the list of 

 introduced species are the silver and sockeye 

 salmon, lake or Mackinaw trout, eastern brook 

 and Loch Leven, and last, but not least, the rain- 

 bow, which needs no introduction and whose 

 game and fighting qualities are second to none. 



The habits of these introduced species are 

 not dissimilar to our native species and corre- 

 spond to the other members of the Salmon fam- 

 ily. The following are some of the record weights: 

 si-lver and sockeye salmon up to AV2 pounds, 

 rainbow up to 12 pounds, eastern brook up to 

 17 pounds, Lock Leven or brown trout up to 40 

 pounds; lake or Mackinaw have been caught up 

 to 80 pounds. 



Many warm water species have also been 

 introduced and included in this are large and 

 small mouth black bass, perch, sunfish, croppies, 

 bullheads and carp. It was the introduction of 

 these species in trout waters that has created ir- 

 reparable harm and in many cases has ruined 

 fishing for both species. 



FISHING WATERS OF STATE 



Our state is indeed fortunate in that we will 

 always have a number of remote areas where 

 natural propagation, supplemented by plantings 

 from our hatcheries, will always insure the am- 

 bitious angler a rich reward for his efforts. Those 

 areas which are easy of access will have to de- 

 pend almost entirely upon heavy plantings from 

 the hatcheries, and most of these plantings 

 should be six-inch and larger fish to maintain 

 proper fishing conditions. 



Time and space will not permit even a short 

 description of the many fishing waters within our 

 state, for if the streams which are fishable were 

 totaled, it would probably exceed 34,000 miles, 

 and the many lakes will probably total in excess 

 of 1,550, and to be able to pick from this huge 

 allotment the best fishing waters would indeed 

 be a difficult task. Many waters which at one 

 season of the year are not very productive of 

 results can be outstanding at some other time. 

 Each locality is usually fortunate in possessing 

 a few favored spots where excellent fishing can 

 be had at most any season of the year, and al- 

 most every sportsman is always eager and will- 

 ing to impart this information to a stranger in that 

 locality. 



Rainbow trout. Outstanding member of Salmon 



family introduced into Montana's waters many 



years ago and well known for its fighting 



qualities. 



Montana Grayling. Originally found only in 

 Montana, since introduced into many states. 

 Their most striking feature is a large, beau- 

 tifully colored dorsal fin. 





