Pintler Creek and Oreamnos Lake to Receive Fish Treatment

Beginning at the end of August, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in conjunction with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks will work together to treat the Pintler Creek drainage for the Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations. Fisheries Biologist Jim Olsen with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said officials will use a chemical called Rotenone to remove non-native species from this drainage:

"We're doing a Westslope Cutthroat Trout restoration project in Pintler Creek," Olsen said. "The goal of that project is to restore Westslope Cutthroat to that stream and one lake at the headwaters which is called the Oreamnos Lake because there's Rainbow Trout in there currently. We'll remove those Rainbow Trout and restore Westslope Cutthroat to that stream."

Olsen said the public is advised to avoid this area and to not fish or consume any fish in these areas during the Rotenone treatment.

"We're using a pesticide called Rotenone to remove those fish," Olsen said. "It's a naturally derived chemical from plants in the bean family. It's very highly specific to fish and just removes the fish. It's something that's not active very long in the water. Generally within 24 hours it will be degraded to the point where it doesn't kill fish anymore. We also neutralize that chemical at the bottom of our treatment area."

Olsen said treatment is expected to last approximately four days.

For additional information contact the Wise River Ranger District at (406) 832-3178.