FISHERIES DIVISION 



River Management Plans 



Management plans for the Bighorn, Smith and Blackfoot rivers were 

 initiated during the fiscal year 1986-87 biennium. Final 

 editions of these plans are expected to be issued, after public 

 review, in late 1987 and early 1988. Additional management 

 plans, emphasizing public involvement, will be written during the 

 next biennium. These plans are being prepared for rivers where 

 complex biological or social management issues exist or problems 

 are anticipated. 



Hatchery Construction an d Fish Stocking 



A program of renovating Montana's aging hatchery facilities began 

 in the fiscal year 1984-85 biennium. This program continued 

 through the 1986-87 biennium as renovation of hatchery facilities 

 continued at five fishery stations. Construction started at the 

 Washoe Park Trout Hatchery and was over 98 percent complete at 

 the end of Fiscal Year 1987. Bids were awarded to reconstruct 

 the Miles City Hatchery and construction was underway on April 

 15, 1987. The Miles City construction is scheduled for 

 completion on April 1, 1988. Construction began June 15, 1987, 

 on eight new raceways at the Big Springs Trout Hatchery in 

 Lewistown. Construction is scheduled for completion on September 



30, 1987. A new interpretive center and self-guided tour was 

 installed at the Giant Springs Hatchery. This completed the 

 renovation work at Great Falls. The Big Timber Hatchery was 

 reconstructed and all work is expected to be complete by December 



31, 1987. 



The Department's fish stocking program for fiscal years 1986-87 

 included both cold and warm/cool water species. 



Numbers of fish stocked were: 



FY 86 34,715,085 



FY 87 43,360,688 



Total 78,075,773 



Fish were stocked in nine major Montana waters as follows: 



Lake cr ReservQir species FY 86 FY 87 Total 



Canyon Ferry Res. Rainbow 937,394 1,124,650 2,062,050 



Clark Canyon Res. Rainbow 208,109 336,927 545,183 



Flathead Lake Kokanee 180,000 350,000 530,000 



Fort Peck Lake Cisco 10,050,000 13,999,986 24,049,986 



Fort Peck Lake Chinook 15,150 50,423 65,573 



Fort Peck Lake Walleye 11,625,507 5,200,000 16,825,507 



Georgetown Lake Rainbow 256,462 189,586 446,048 



Hauser Res. Rainbow 232,468 212,595 445,063 



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