Bull Trout are found in the Clark Fork and Flathead drainages of western Montana, and their slowly declining trend has led to their designation as a threatened species. Bull Trout are a sensitive species that do not tolerate high sediment levels in their spawning streams.

Where can I catch bull trout in Montana?

2020 BULL TROUT REGULATIONS

Bull trout fishing is permitted in four western district waters of Montana: Hungry Horse Reservoir, South Fork Flathead River, Lake Koocanusa and Swan Lake. All other waters in Montana are closed to intentional fishing for bull trout.

Where can I find bull trout?

Bull Trout are found in western North America from northern Nevada through Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. The Canadian distribution extends throughout British Columbia and western Alberta, with a northern limit into the southern Yukon and the central portion of the Northwest Territories.

Where is the best bull trout fishing?

They are in most river drainages in central and northern Idaho that flow into the Snake and Columbia rivers. They're most common in coldwater rivers, which in summer often means upper-elevation streams. Bull trout need water that's 60 degrees or cooler, and water that's around 54 degrees is ideal habitat for them.

What type of water do bull trout live in?

Thus, they favor the deep pools of cold lakes and large rivers, as well as high, cold mountain headwaters. Bull trout may be anadromous in coastal rivers, and individual bull trout have been found to have migrated from one coastal river to another by the ocean.

120 HOURS IN BULL TROUT COUNTRY (quest to find the elusive bull trout)

Are bull trout rare?

The geographic range of the bull trout is confined to northwestern North America from Alaska to northern California. These fish inhabit Artic waters, Pacific waters and the Missouri River drainages in mountain and coastal streams. ... This piscivorous behavior increases as the fish continues to grow.

Will bull trout go extinct?

They removed large bull trout to improve the survival of other fish. During the last 25 years, bull trout numbers have declined even more, primarily as a result of overfishing. This species is not in immediate danger of extinction in Alberta but could easily disappear from some lakes and streams.

Can you target bull trout?

Bull trout are not typically known to be wild fighters, although some will test you. Most anglers use very large flies to target the largest bulls, 5-10” in length on 3-8wt fly rods depending on your personal taste.

What do bull trout bite on?

• #1 - Mini Leech - White - Size 10.
• #2 - Kreelex Minnow - Various - Size 4.
• #3 - Strolis' Single Ice Pick - White - Size 2.
• #4 - Murphy's Miracle Mile Peanut - Orange - Size 4.
• #5 - Keller's Nightmare - Light or Dark - Size 6.

Are bull trout actually trout?

Contrary to their common name, bull trout are not actually trout, they are members of the Char (genus Salvelinus) subgroup of the family Salmonidae.

Are bull trout good to eat?

Most people call Bull trout Dollies but they are not very similar ( pictures in the fishing regs) Bull trout are red/orange flesh and get quite large and are very good eating , the dolly varden are generally under a pound and pretty much live in coastal streams/rivers .

How many bull trout are left?

Chances of Survival. In terms of absolute numbers, plenty of bull trout are left. State fish biologists have identified a total of 438 different populations. The total Northwest-wide bull trout population may be between 0.5 and 1 million individuals.

What lakes in Montana have golden trout?

Cave Lake is a popular but difficult-to-access destination for large golden trout. Blue and Pear lakes also offer good fishing. Largely roadless and untouched, the Gallatins run north to south from the Gallatin Valley to Yellowstone National Park, between Gallatin Canyon and Paradise Valley.

Are lake trout native to Montana?

Lake trout are native to northern North America, with their historic range determined primarily by the extent and dynamics of the Pleistocene glaciations. ... Native Montana Populations are found within the Big Hole and Red Rock Drainages and the Hudson Bay Drainages of Glacier Park.

How can you tell a bull trout?

Bull trout can be identified by looking for olive bodies with red and orange spots along each side, as well as pale yellow dots along the back. Look for white leading edges on fins, and for a translucent dorsal fin. Often, these fish have darker olive faces that remain the same whether they are spawning or not.

How do you catch a big bull trout?

Bull trout love to ambush from an unsuspecting position. Look for overhanging branches, log jams, undercut banks and pools that have a good number of large boulders. Often times, the closer your fly can be to this structure, the higher your chances of getting right in their wheelhouse will be. Big fly, small fly.

Why are bull trout protected?

Because of their dependency on cold, clean water and pristine habitat, bull trout have been largely extirpated from much of their historic range. ... The timing and duration of spring runoff could dramatically affect stream temperatures, habitat creation, and therefore the spawning activities of the bull trout.

Are rainbow trout native to Montana?

The rainbow trout is Montana's number one game fish. Rainbow trout were introduced from numerous hatchery stocks into virtually every suitable habitat in the state, beginning in 1889. Scientists believe that only the rainbow trout of the upper Kootenai River drainage are native to this state.

Do bull trout eat mice?

Surface feeding is also a well documented bull trout behavior. The unwary mouse or shrew is often times slurped under by an aggressive bull. ... But, young Bull Trout up to about 16-inches in length often feed very much like rainbow or cutthroat trout. Their diet is mostly aquatic insects.

How do you troll for bull trout?

Effective trolling lures for both rainbow and bull trout are Luhr Jensen Krocodile spoons, Apex Hot Spot Trolling Lures, and Tomic or Lyman plugs (the four-inch size mimics the lake's one-year-old kokanee). Another great method for catching rainbow trout in Kootenay Lake is trolling bucktails.

Are Bulls endangered?

The extremely endangered animal species, blue bull inhabiting the "sacred" forest of Lumbini in southern Nepal is on the verge of extinction due to poaching and poisoning, local media reported on Thursday. According to eKantipur.com report, over the last three years, the blue bull population has dwindled alarmingly.

Do bull trout go to the ocean?

Bull trout require colder water than most salmonid species (salmon, rainbow trout, whitefish, brook and lake trout) and are mostly found in pristine rivers and lakes. ... Some runs of bull trout are anadromous, meaning they spend part of their lives migrating to, from, and within the ocean, but spawn in freshwater.