A parasite responsible for killing thousands of fishes prompted state wildlife officials to close for an indefinite period of time the popular Yellowstone River in Montana and hundreds of miles of other waterways on Friday, Aug. 19.
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Rafting operators and people linked to fishing in the area are not happy with the move.
The officials have not announced time of the closure, which means it could remain active for months.
The closure on the Montana portion of the river aims to stop the spread of the parasite, which causes fish to contract a fatal kidney disease, as well as protect the fishery and the outdoor economy it sustains, officials said.
This significant action on the part of the Department is in response to the ongoing and unprecedented fish kill on the Yellowstone.
The following is a press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
The agency estimates that tens of thousands of fish have died this week from a parasite that causes kidney disease.
Even when the river reopens, there are fears the fish die-off could deal a lasting blow to the Yellowstone’s reputation as a world-class trout fishery that draws visitors from around the world.
Only positive thing is that the officials have not found any dead fish inside Yellowstone National Park. It’s a big relief because the national park is preparing for National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, which is next week.
Biologists are monitoring waters inside the park, but there are no current plans to expand the closure upstream inside the park’s boundary, park spokeswoman Charissa Reid said.
A ban on fishing, boating and other activities on Montana’s Yellowstone River could last for months after an invasive parasite killed thousands of fish.
“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.
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. The WFP found over 2,000 dead whitefish along stretches of the river and further investigation revealed that as many as 20,000 or more fish were dead, along with some rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
In addition, once anglers are done fishing at a site within Yellowstone National Park, they must remove all mud, sediment, vegetation and other debris from waders and boots before leaving that site and traveling to additional fishing locations within the park. Numerous fly fishing outfitters and rafting companies operate in the closed stretch of river, which extends from Yellowstone National Park’s northern boundary to the city of Laurel, along with all tributaries in those areas.
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Officials are now anxious the fish kill could have a lasting impact on the Yellowstone’s reputation as a world-class trout fishery that draws visitors from around the world.
