Yellowstone River Shut Down

Ben Lamb

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Nice work by FWP & the Commission in shutting down the River before the infection spreads. This is a good reminder to clean, inspect and dry your fishing gear. Thousands of jobs depend on clean and functional rivers.

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/newsReleases/headlines/nr_4277.html

Friday, August 19, 2016
(Bozeman, Mont.)—Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is implementing an immediate closure of all water-based recreation (fishing, wading, floating, tubing, boating, etc.) on the Yellowstone River and its tributaries from Yellowstone National Park’s northern boundary at Gardiner to the Highway 212 bridge in Laurel. This significant action on the part of the Department is in response to the ongoing and unprecedented fish kill on the Yellowstone. This action is necessary to protect the fishery and the economy it sustains. The closure will also help limit the spread of the parasite to adjacent rivers through boats, tubes, waders and other human contact and minimize further mortality in all fish species.

In the past week, FWP has documented over 2,000 dead Mountain Whitefish on some affected stretches of the Yellowstone. With that, FWP estimates the total impact to Mountain Whitefish in the Yellowstone to be in the tens of thousands. FWP has also recently received reports of the kill beginning to affect some Rainbow and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

Test results from samples sent to the U.S. and Wildlife Service Fish Health Center in Bozeman show the catalyst for this fish kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease – one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. The disease, caused by a microscopic parasite, is known to occur in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. It has been documented previously in only two isolated locations in Montana over the past 20 years. Recent outbreaks have occurred in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. In trout, research has shown this disease to have the potential to cause 20 to 100 percent mortality. The parasite does not pose a risk to humans.

The effect of the disease on Yellowstone’s fish populations is exacerbated by other stressors like near record low flows, consistent high temperatures, and the disturbance caused by recreational activities.
FWP Director Jeff Hagener says in coming to the decision, the Department had to weigh the totality of the circumstances and risk to the fishery.

“We recognize that this decision will have a significant impact on many people. However, we must act to protect this public resource for present and future generations,” said Hagener.
"A threat to the health of Montana's fish populations is a threat to Montana's entire outdoor economy and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains," said Gov. Steve Bullock, noting that Montana's outdoor recreation economy is responsible for more than 64,000 Montana jobs and nearly $6 billion in yearly economic activity. "We must be guided by science. Our state cannot afford this infectious disease to spread to other streams and rivers and it's my responsibility to do everything we can to stop this threat in its tracks and protect Montana jobs and livelihoods."

FWP will continue to monitor the river and will lift the closure when stream conditions such as flow and temperature improve and fish mortality ceases.

FWP staff will be available to the media Friday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at Region 3 Headquarters in Bozeman (1400 S. 19th Ave.) to help answer questions related to the fish kill and this management action.
In addition to the closure on the Yellowstone, FWP is asking for the public’s assistance in preventing the spread of this parasite by properly cleaning (CLEAN.DRAIN.DRY) all equipment prior to moving between waterbodies (i.e., boats, waders, trailers). FWP has also set up two Aquatic Invasive Species decontamination stations set up along I-90 near the affected area in an effort to help reduce the chance of this parasite moving to other rivers.
 
This sucks for all of the locals who depend on the river for their income. Sounds like the right call though. This will just put more pressure on the other rivers in the area... The Gallatin, and Madison for sure. Hopefully it won't spread.
 
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There are two mobile stations right now for decontaminating boats, and more on the way it sounds like.

This absolutely was the right call. Took a fairly big set to make it.
 
I don't think it is unreasonable to shut everything down until things are more in control i.e. cooler weather/lower water temps.This parasite needs to be confined and suppressed asap.
 
There are two mobile stations right now for decontaminating boats, and more on the way it sounds like.

This absolutely was the right call. Took a fairly big set to make it.
A big set indeed.

I wonder if this is what caused the whitefish decline in the Madison a few years ago.
 
Nice to see them make a call of that magnitude so quick. I was not expecting it to say the least.
 
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This is a big stretch of water! I had to pull out my map to see where HWY 212 was. They've closed everything from the park damn near to Billings, including the tributaries.

I wondered the same thing too Rob. I was just reading about the whitefish decline on the Madison the other night. I guess it's good to see FWP trying to protect the often overlooked whitefish.
 
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This is a big stretch of water! I had to pull out my map to see where HWY 212 was. They've closed everything from the park damn near to Billings, including the tributaries.

I wondered they same thing too Rob. I was just reading about the whitefish decline on the Madison the other night. I guess it's good to see FWP trying to protect the often overlooked whitefish.

As go the whitefish, so go the trout. They're a terrific indicator species.
 
Glad to see the shutdown, no other or better option. Fine the shit out of anyone who knowingly breaks this closure, I'm sure there will be some.
 
They are really cracking down on this on the Mississippi river. When I pull my boat out of the water I clean the boat and trailer the best I can. If its not clean enough you can get fined. The thing is you are on your own. Where I fish and hunt there are no wash stations or anything to assist in this process. I believe its a great idea but I know what I am doing is not good enough.
 
Looks like the last stretch of closed river reopens Friday. I guess it could have been worse. Hopefully it won't have to be closed again.
 
local radio guys in Billings were hammering FWP about the decision last week. apparently ID has had 3 kill offs like this in the past 10 years or so and never shut down the rivers. don't read my statement as supporting the local radio opinion!
 
local radio guys in Billings were hammering FWP about the decision last week. apparently ID has had 3 kill offs like this in the past 10 years or so and never shut down the rivers. don't read my statement as supporting the local radio opinion!

Good for FWP; I've also been a fan of decisions to limit fishing hours when water temps get high. ID is all about the opportunity whether that's a good or bad thing for the resource at times
 
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