Helena National Forest

Elkhorns Wildlife Management Unit

Westslope Cutthroat

Elkhorns: Westslope Cutthroat

Westslope cutthroat trout have declined in abundance and distribution throughout Montana, and in the Missouri River Basin Major factors contributing to this decline include competition with nonnative trout (brook, brown, rainbow, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout) that were first introduced to Montana in the 1890’s, hybridization with rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, habitat changes, and over-exploitation. Most remaining WCT populations are isolated in headwater mountain streams and a majority have a very high risk of extinction – indicating their probability of persistence for more than 100 years is low. Several WCT populations are known to have gone extinct in the last 20 years in the Missouri River Basin, including from streams in the Elkhorn Mountains where populations have likely disappeared due to competition with brook trout.

WCT RESTORATION PROGRAM Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), proposes to implement a mountain-range wide program for increasing the distribution and abundance of westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) populations in the Elkhorn Mountains.

BRING BACK THE NATIVES The Elkhorn Mountains Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration Program is a collaborative effort between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Bring Back the Natives Program, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Butte Field Office, and the Montana Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

USDA Forest Service - Helena National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 25 June 2007 at 13:31:18 EDT