The annual State of the Missouri River presentation was delivered at Montana Wild in Helena Wednesday night by FWP Biologist Grant Grisak. The bottom line? There are a few less fish around (though not by much) but there are an abundance of 17  and 18 inch fish and very few under 15 inches. This should make for an outstanding season with 17″ Rainbows being the norm. Last year’s average size was in that 15 – 16 inch range so those fish have grown up and are ready to do battle. With 5,194 rainbows and 745 browns per mile we are still looking at roughly 6,000 trout per mile in the Craig section. Sounds amazingly FISHY to us and we’d like nothing better than to hook you up with as many of those fish as possible this season. Call today for guide and lodging dates. Peak dates are going quickly but you needn’t worry as anytime is a good time to fish the MO! Dont forget our spring special $300 full day trips running through April.

Grant also spent some time discussing the low flows of 2013 which stacked up in the 7th percentile of peak annual flows between 1946-2013. 2013 saw a maximum flow of just under 5,000 cfs versus the  average peak flow during that time frame is 14,900 cfs. The chatter regarding what to expect this season has intensified as of late and we just aren’t sure what to say at this point other than we are cautiously optimistic about flows for the coming season. The snow pack is where it needs to be at 127% of average and early indications seem to be pointing to a decent season where river flows are concerned but we can’t predict the future and we can’t control the weather so we will continue to keep a close eye on conditions and will continue to hope and pray for perfect flows and perfect bugs and perfect fish!

Program Summary from FWP Biologist Grant Grisak

In 2013, the population estimate for rainbow trout 10 inches long and greater in the Craig section was 5,194 per mile. The long term average, including this year is 3,237. Over the past three years the rainbow trout in this section have been at all time high levels (2011=6034, 2012 = 7312). The population this year demonstrated increased size and slightly lower abundance over the past two years, which is typical of the current population reaching maximum size. This year 87% of the rainbow trout in the Craig section were 15 inches long or greater and 35%  of the population was 18 inches long or greater. We sampled 5,556 rainbow trout during the estimate, which is the third highest sample on record. Biologists predict the population will return to normal levels next year unless an unusually high water event occurs in the spawning tributaries in the spring of 2014.

There were 47 walleye and 131 burbot sampled this fall. The long term average for these species is 26 and 72 respectively. In the spring, brown trout 10 inches long and greater were estimated at 745 per mile. The long term average including this year is 576.

In the Cascade section, the estimate for rainbow trout 10 inches long and greater was 2,260 per mile. The long term average including this year is 1,575 per mile. This year 66% of the rainbow trout population was 15 inches long or greater. There were 2,350 rainbow trout sampled during the estimate which is consistent with the long term average. There were 34 walleye and 23 burbot sampled this fall. The long term average for these fish is 21 and 41 respectively. In the spring, brown trout 10 inches long and greater were estimated at 447 per mile. The long term average is 387.