THe time to act is now
SAVE WILD TROUT — before it’s too late
Wild trout populations are in decline. It’s an all-hands-on-deck moment for our cold-water fisheries.
We’re working to engage everyone who values wild trout and healthy rivers to develop science-based solutions that address cold-water fisheries declines and protects these resources for future generations.
Ground zero: Southwest Montana
Wild trout populations in Montana’s Big Hole, Ruby, and Beaverhead Rivers are in peril.
Often referred to as the “Last Best Place,” Montana is a headwaters state with world-renowned, cold-water fisheries that have historically supported an abundance of wild trout.
Today, Montana’s Jefferson Basin — which includes the Big Hole, Ruby, Beaverhead, and Jefferson Rivers — is facing an ecological emergency.
Reports from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) confirm that wild trout populations have crashed to historic lows, and initial reporting found little to no young-of-year recruitment, meaning it’s only going to get worse before it can get better, and this deserves further study.
The loss of wild trout populations in SW Montana will have severe social, ecological, and economic impacts. These cold-water fisheries are part of our outdoors heritage and way of life. Montana is rightfully a world-class destination because of our wild trout fisheries and iconic rivers. The outdoor economy generates $7.1 billion in economic activity and supports 71,000 jobs. In Beaverhead County alone, fly fishing, hunting and the outdoor economy generates more than $167 million each year while supporting over 1,400 jobs.
The collapse of SW Montana’s wild trout populations is our canary in the coal mine moment.
We have a multitude of troubling conditions - variable snowpacks and dewatered rivers, increased development pressure and pollution, noxious algal blooms, warming temperatures, under-studied diseases and mortality, and increased recreational pressure - but no clear answer to how, and why, SW Montana’s wild trout are suddenly at the brink.
It’s time to identify key causes behind this region’s population collapse, to think outside-the-box, and to ensure we quickly implement targeted solutions critical to restoring and protecting SW Montana’s cold-water fisheries.
It’s time to organize and stand up for wild trout.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER. We’ll keep you in the loop on our projects and meaningful opportunities to raise your voice.
MAKE A DONATION. Help us develop, and advocate for, science-based solutions vital to protecting wild trout.
CONTACT the Montana Governor’s Office and the Fisheries Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Let your decision-makers know we need their help to address this ecological and economic emergency.
READ THE EMERGENCY REQUEST to Montana Governor Gianforte from Outfitters, Guides, Businesses, and Concerned Citizens
Do your part by committing to using barbless single hook lures, keep fish wet, catch and release only, stop grip and grin photographs, and put the rod away when water temps reach 68°F.
ABOUT Save Wild Trout
We are a growing coalition of anglers, river advocates, concerned citizens, businesses, guides, and outfitters. Our mission is simple: to protect wild trout for the benefit of all.
We’re organizing and pooling resources to immediately investigate SW Montana’s wild trout population collapse, and generating awareness about core issues impacting cold-water fisheries and healthy rivers.
When you support Save Wild Trout, you’re joining a diverse group investing in putting boots on-the-ground, retaining experts, and advocating science-based solutions critical to restoring and conserving wild trout, starting in Montana.
We must take action to protect these valuable resources and our outdoors heritage for future generations.
Contact: info@savewildtrout.org