Hit the river, but be careful with fish

Summertime in Montana…Hopefully that means many or ALL of you are outside enjoying the great outdoors.  When indulging in some relaxing time on the river casting a fishing pole or fly rod should you catch and release or eat the fish?  The answer may be some of both.  

According to Dave Schmetterling with the Fish Wildlife and Parks, caution should be used when eating fish along the entire stretch of the Clark Fork that runs through the area.  Due to chemicals used to bleach paper at the old Stone Container millsite near Frenchtown, higher levels of chemicals may be present in fish downstream.  Things are much safer now, as water quality is better but older fish are still likely to have higher chemical content making them less safe to eat.  Therefore if you choose to eat fish, the smaller, younger fish are better – less time in the water = less chemicals ingested.   

 Rainbow Trout eat insects and are shorter-lived, making them safer choices.  Fish that eat other fish have increased risk due to the ingestion of fish with chemicals.  Northern Pike are both long-living and eat fish, therefore having increased risk.  Brown Trout also eat fish, which makes them a higher risk. Neither of these species from the Clark Fork Rover is recommended for eating.

Do your homework.  Know what you eat.  Learn species of fish and what those fish eat. If you would like additional information, please contact your local Fish, Wildlife and Parks office.  Being outside on the water is a great way to relieve stress and enjoy nature.  You can still enjoy eating fish if you choose younger, smaller fish that eat insects or plants.  Most importantly, remember that you can catch and release as many fish as you can catch!   Enjoy

Laurel Chambers PA-C

MRHC/MCH