Wild, native and viable in the NW?

Are there any rivers left in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana that
have only wild, native trout/steelhead (no non-native introductions or
hatchery fish), and where wild fish can be kept?

I've posted this question to a number of on-line forums. Apologies if
you've already read it elsewhere -- I wanted to tap into the largest
possible audience......

JR

JR wrote:
Are there any rivers left in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana that
have only wild, native trout/steelhead (no non-native introductions or
hatchery fish), and where wild fish can be kept?

I've posted this question to a number of on-line forums. Apologies if
you've already read it elsewhere -- I wanted to tap into the largest
possible audience......

JR


Taking your question further, across the country are there any rivers or
lakes that have ONLY wild native fishes in them.......

The answer is damned few.

I don't know Washington or Oregon fishing, but Idaho and Montana have
some waters with only native Cutts. Most are smaller out of the way
waters that weren't worth making the effort to "improve" them.

Willi

JR wrote:
Are there any rivers left in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana that
have only wild, native trout/steelhead (no non-native introductions or
hatchery fish), and where wild fish can be kept?

You can keep 3 cutthroat under 10" in Montana's western district,
in the streams of the central and eastern districts all cutthroat
trout must be released immediately. There are exceptions for the
Yellowstone and some of its tribs.

Having said that, I don't know of a stream in Montana that holds
only wild, native trout and where they can be kept.

I do know several Montana streams that contain only wild, native
fish but most of them require a long hike to catch small fish
that must be released.

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote

I do know several Montana streams that contain only wild, native
fish but most of them require a long hike to catch small fish
that must be released.


and i have watched you do a pretty damn good job of laying out a couple
feet of line for native brookies in the headwaters of wilson creek, in the
old north state.

a good job for an arrogant ilini, that is.

wayno (you wouldn't like to chance a bet on who goes further in the
tournament, would you?)

Wayne Harrison wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote:
I do know several Montana streams that contain only wild, native
fish but most of them require a long hike to catch small fish
that must be released.

and i have watched you do a pretty damn good job of laying out a couple
feet of line for native brookies in the headwaters of wilson creek, in the
old north state.

a good job for an arrogant ilini, that is.

I had a pretty damn good teacher, for a Tar Heel that is.

wayno (you wouldn't like to chance a bet on who goes further in the
tournament, would you?)

I already owe you two bottles of Balvenie because the Illini's
miserable excuse for a so-called football team is even worse
than the Tar Heel's miserable excuse for a so-called football
team. Hard to believe I haven't seen your smiling face on a
trout stream in over two years, what, did you get a new lady
friend or something ? ;-)

But sure, what's the bet, more scotch or should we do something
interesting this time ?

--
Ken Fortenberry

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote

what's the bet, more scotch or should we do something
interesting this time ?

hell, i don't even drink scotch any more. stolichnaya costs
considerably less than balvenie, to your benefit.

how 'bout this: the loser buys dinner in bryson city.

wayno

Wayne Harrison wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote:
what's the bet, more scotch or should we do something
interesting this time ?

hell, i don't even drink scotch any more. stolichnaya costs
considerably less than balvenie, to your benefit.

how 'bout this: the loser buys dinner in bryson city.

Perfect. I look forward to dining on your dime at the Fryemont.

Go Illini !!

--
Ken Fortenberry

The Deschutes rainbows are wild, but some of the steelhead are stocked fish.

Gene

"JR" wrote in message
...
Are there any rivers left in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana that
have only wild, native trout/steelhead (no non-native introductions or
hatchery fish), and where wild fish can be kept?

I've posted this question to a number of on-line forums. Apologies if
you've already read it elsewhere -- I wanted to tap into the largest
possible audience......

JR

In article ,
says...
Are there any rivers left in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Montana that
have only wild, native trout/steelhead (no non-native introductions or
hatchery fish), and where wild fish can be kept?

I've posted this question to a number of on-line forums. Apologies if
you've already read it elsewhere -- I wanted to tap into the largest
possible audience......

Oregon coastal streams south of about Lincoln City allow you to keep
wild cutthroat (2 8" if I remember correctly).

They closed all coastal streams maybe 8 years ago. Reopened those south
of Lincoln City about 2 years ago. Rumors have it the remainder will
be opened in a year or two.
- Ken