In this September 9, 2004 file photo, two fly fishermen and an oarsman test their angling skills as they float down the Yellowstone River near Pine Creek, Mont., fishing access.
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Reports of the Yellowstone River fish kill began pouring in more than a week ago. With the closure, all fishing and rafting activities are banned in the closed areas, though business owners who operate rafts and organize fishing trips believe that it may have a severely negative effect on the outdoor industry in the traditionally busy summer months.
A microscopic parasite is infecting fish with proliferative kidney disease, a rare but serious condition that has only been found in two isolated spots in Montana over the past two decades.
“This kill is unprecedented in magnitude”.
“I think Montana Fish Wildlife Parks, they’re doing the right thing”, Reiner said.
The closure, imposed by the state Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency, covers more than 150 miles (240 km) of the Yellowstone River and its tributaries outside Yellowstone National Park.
According to the state’s wildlife division, there have been more than 2,000 recorded instances of Mountain Whitefish dying from this parasite, though the department estimates that there could be tens of thousands of fish affected throughout the larger Yellowstone River region. Unfortunately, there are signs the parasite is also beginning to kill off Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout, as well.
As of today, all recreational water activities have been banned in Yellowstone River and its tributaries; this includes fishing, boating, wading, even floating.
The locals are anxious about the effects the close may have on the outdoor industry, as many rafting companies and fishing outfitters operate in the area.
The disease could have been triggered by certain “stressors” such as high temperature, low water flow and human recreational activity.
“If it’s a threat to the Yellowstone River trout population, we support it, but I hope it doesn’t last too long”, Wiese said. “It’s definitely a big part of the Livingston and area economy. However, we must act to protect this public resource for present and future generations”, said Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Jeff Hagener. Because Montana largely thrives on an outdoor-based economy, however, this parasite poses a risk to tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in annual economic activities.
The closure of the river will remain in effect until temperature, water quality, and fish mortality has improved.
FWP has set up two aquatic invasive species decontamination stations in an effort to reduce the chance of spreading the parasite.
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No dead fish were found inside Yellowstone National Park, where a celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary is set for next week and no closures were planned there.
