Fish sampling efforts take close look at fish health in upper Missouri River Basin

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to monitor fish health in the upper Missouri River Basin and has collected several tissue samples from sick fish this summer.

Thus far, the sampling efforts have shown no abnormal results. Staff have received seasonal reports of sick or dead fish in the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Ruby rivers this summer. Sick fish were reported in 2023 as well. Compared to the fish population size, angler reports of sick fish have been relatively few.

FWP staff have leaned on prompt reports of sick fish from anglers and added staff capacity in response to ongoing fish hea...