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BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana fisheries managers want to stop stocking Hebgen Lake with hatchery raised rainbow trout.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say the 12,500-acre reservoir north of Yellowstone National Park has good wild trout reproduction due to good spawning habitat in 10 of its tributaries. The agency says anglers are catching only about 13 percent of the stocked trout.
The Billings Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/2dxxHXl ) an environmental assessment found that not stocking fish may result in the wild trout growing larger.
FWP proposes to continue monitoring the fishery if the proposal is approved, to measure its affect. If the fishery declines, FWP would consider returning to some level of stocking.
A public meeting on the proposal is set for Oct. 17 in West Yellowstone. Public comment is being taken through Nov. 2.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, http://www.billingsgazette.com
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