Introduction 



Five species of sculpin (genus Cottus) occur in Montana (Brown 1971; Holton 1990). 

 Sculpins are bottom dwelling fish typically found in rocky substrates of coldwater streams. 

 They characteristically have large flattened heads and fanlike pectoral fins. The presence of 

 palatine teeth is used to distinguish some species as well as the number of spiny-rays and 

 soft-rays on the pectoral and pelvic fins. However, sculpins do vary in color and structure 

 making field identification difficult. In addition, sculpins are difficult to sample with 

 conventional methods typically used to monitor game fish species in the state. As a result, 

 uncertainty exists concerning the distribution and habitat use of each species within the 

 state. Two sculpin species (Cottus confusus and Cottus ricei) are listed as Species of 

 Special Concern in Montana (Genter 1992). The U.S. Forest Service Northern Region 

 lists these same two sculpin species as Sensitive Species. As such, these two species 

 receive special consideration for conservation lands administered by the forest service. 



This report presents the field work of a six week distributional study of sculpins in 

 northwest Montana. The primary objective of this study was to map sculpin distribution in 

 the Kootenai National Forest and adjacent areas as well as the longitudinal location within a 

 single watershed. Secondarily, this study set out to define sculpin habitat as well as assess 

 the degree of impairment resulting from land use practices in the study area. In addition, 

 sculpin age classifications were determined as well as an evaluation of several sculpin 

 sampling techniques. 



Samples were taken from tributaries of Koocanusa Reservoir, Clark Fork River, 

 Kootenai River, Yaak River and Tobacco River systems. Stream surveys were conducted 

 from September through October of 1991. A number of basins within these watersheds 

 were sampled intensively to determine longitudinal species distribution in a stream system. 



