HELENA – Spawning and rearing habitat for brown and rainbow trout will be created in Kamperschroer Spring Creek, feeding into the Big Hole River. Fish passage on the mainstem upper Clark Fork River will be improved at the same time an irrigation diversion is upgraded near Deer Lodge. These projects are two of six that recently received funding by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP). Nearly $390,000 in funding was approved to improve Montana fisheries.
The fisheries improvements include restoration of streams to a natural condition, installing riparian fencing, restoring streambanks and riparian areas, improving fish passage, creating spawning habitat, enhancing streamflow, repairing a dam that supports a genetically pure cutthroat trout egg source and more. Projects will help both native and non-native fish, including bull trout, mountain whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
This year’s funding was paired with $1.2 million in match and other contributions from outside sources. Landowners, watershed organizations, county governments, federal agencies and nonprofits submitted a total of six proposed projects. All projects were approved, including four that are west and two that are east of the Continental Divide.
Applications for the FFIP winter-cycle grants are due Nov. 15 to FWP’s Fish Habitat Bureau. Application forms are available on FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov/FFIP or at FWP offices.
Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for FFIP funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs, extending FFIP dollars.
More information and FFIP applications are available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/FFIP.
Approved FFIP projects
Butte Area
Helena Area
Missoula Area
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