Bird’s-eye view of a river
The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff, in collaboration with Montana State University, are working to shed some light on the complex and often elusive nature of trout in the upper Missouri River Basin. One of the key strategies they employ is tagging trout to monitor their behavior and movements, and gathering valuable information from the anglers who catch them.
Tagging and Reporting: A Shared Effort
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are invited to submit a report to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, detailing various aspects of the fish, such as the tag number, date, location, condition of the fish, gear type used, and whether the angler released or harvested the fish.
Tag numbers are unique and attached to the fish near the dorsal fin, allowing researchers to track individual trout and gather a broad understanding of their habitat and behavior.
Why Angler Reports Matter
- Each report provides valuable information on the population dynamics of trout in the rivers, including recruitment, survival, and mortality rates.
- Angler reports help researchers to identify patterns in the decline of trout populations.
- This data can also inform fishery management decisions and help preserve trout habitats.
Reporting Guidelines
Anglers who catch a tagged fish are advised to remove the tag and submit a report to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website or call the toll-free number provided.
An example report would include:
- Tag number
- Date
- Location (river and latitude and longitude)
- Condition of the fish
- Gear type used (e.g., rod and reel, fly rod, etc.)
- Harvest status (released or harvested)
Reporting Eligibility and Rewards
Anglers who submit reports for blue tags may be eligible for rewards, including gear and fishing trips.
Yellow tags are valued at $100, with reports for these tags also eligible for rewards, though the specific rewards and conditions vary.
Misidentifying Blue and Yellow Tags
Anglers who catch fish carrying tags from the previous year may encounter tags that are difficult to see, covered in a thin film of algae.