Figure 9. Pie chart illustrating anglers preferences for terminal tackle type during the 

 Hebgen Reservoir Creel Survey, June 2000 - June 2001. 



DISCUSSION 



Hebgen Reser\'oir is a popular trout fishery in Southwestern Montana. While the fishery 

 is primarily supported by wild, naturally reproducing rainbow and brown trout, FWP 

 currently stocks approximately 100,000 Eagle Lake rainbow trout annually. While the 

 management goal for Hebgen Reservoir is a self-sustaining wild trout fishery, the affects 

 of ceasing stocking on the fishery are unknown. This creel survey was designed to better 

 understand the Hebgen Reservoir fishery and document the contribution of hatchery 

 rainbow trout to the creel. 



Hebgen Reservoir receives most fishing pressure fi-om ice melt in late May to August, 

 reflecting high elevation climate and proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Non- 

 resident anglers comprised over 61% of anglers interviewed. Anglers fi-om Idaho and 

 Gallatin County, Montana, comprised almost half of anglers interviewed. A limited 

 winter ice fishery exists as well. Our estimate of total fishing pressure between June 12, 

 2000, and June 10, 2001, was 64,8 11 angler hours (17,694 angler days). This is 

 considerably lower than the 36,751 angler days estimated by McFarland and Meredith 

 (2000) in the biennial mail survey for the 1999 license year (March 1999 to February 

 2000) and 38,862 angler days in the 2001 license year (March 2001 to February 2002). 

 The direct count method is probably more precise than the biennial mail survey which 

 provides trend information and more direct comparison to other water bodies. 



While angling pressure is relatively evenly distributed over the reservoir, the South half 

 was by far dominated by boat anglers based on angling pressure. This could be due to the 

 lack of public boat access on the North half or simply a reflection of fishing conditions. 

 Catch rates of trout were consistently higher on the South side of the reservoir than on the 

 North half Public boat ramps are limited on the North shore, and additional 

 developments should be investigated. 



13 



