few years back that it could maintain the species in certain areas. 

 That species is now extinct in Michigan. History tells that the gray- 

 ling was once found in great abundance throughout most all of the 

 Missouri River Drainage in Montana above the Great Falls. Only rare 

 reports are now received of occurrences in this area save from certain 

 headwater streams in Beaverhead County, particularly in Red Rock 

 Creek and the upper part of the Big Hole River. The grayling is still 

 found in certain lakes of Beaverhead, Madison, and Gallatin Counties, 

 and this fish has been introduced successfully into other lakes out- 

 side its original range. 



The Montana Fish and Game Commission, realizing the need for 

 prompt action to insure the perpetuation of this Montana native fish 

 authorized an investigation of the status of the grayling, with special 

 effort to be given to the upper Beaverhead River system. As a result 

 of the initial work, the Commission designated the Red Rock Creek 

 Drainage above the Lima Dam as a grayling sanctuary. It is planned 

 that harvest of the grayling in this area by anglers will continue, 

 and that special effort will be made to discourage all exotic fishes 

 in this area and give all possible encouragement to the grayling. 

 Work is being done cooperatively with the Montana State College 

 Agricultural Experiment Station. The Commission also expresses its 

 appreciation to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service which has extended 

 so much help in the work through the Red Rock Nation Migratory 

 Waterfowl Refuge. 



One of the major factors affecting the grayling within the sanc- 

 tuary has been that induced by the beaver. Beaver have been so 

 complete, so thorough, in their dam construction, that the barriers 

 they constructed have denied the grayling access to their normally 

 accustomed spawning areas. Beaver dam removal has been under- 

 taken, and as a result, grayling runs have been observed in tributar- 

 ies far up to the head of Red Rock Creek. Dam removal is not yet 

 well underway, but even when the dams ha\'e all been removed, the 

 problem will not be solved. A check must be maintained on the size 

 of the beaver population itself or barriers to migrating grayling will 

 quickly be reconstructed. 



The grayling is Montana's native fish. It is a fine game fish, and 

 one worth saving. 



FISH RESTORATION DISTRICTS 



Montana has been divided into six districts or units as illustrated 

 by the accompanying map. These districts were designed for greater 

 economy and efficiency of work so that every portion of the state 

 may have its individual fishery problems given needed attention. It 

 is planned that a trained biologist will be stationed in each area. 

 To date Districts 1, 4, and 6 are operative. These men are responsible 

 for the fishery resources within their districts. By constant observa- 

 tion and study, these men will know their waters and their needs. 



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