Ken sent us an interesting email today regarding Hebgen Lake and the fall runs heading up the Madison.  Sometimes we all get so caught up in current conditions we forget to take a step back and  look at the history of a fishery longitudinally through time - Ken’s comments help with that today…..

I have recently returned from my annual pursuit of the run fish on the Madison River. I have fished below the Highway 191 bridge for the past 23 years and I have caught and released many, many run fish. I have fished at various times from late September through late October. This year’s trip was from October 3rd to October 16th. I usually fish the stretch of water from the highway bridge all the way out into Hebgen Lake. As you are aware, this stretch of water is downstream of the fish weir. There seems to be some controversy in West Yellowstone that the fish weir is responsible for the lower number of run fish in the Madison this year. If this were the case, I would have caught the same number of run fish as I had in past years. I did not. The river certainly has fewer fish in 2007 than in past years and it is not the fault of the weir. In fact, I have noticed a decline in the number of run fish over the past 10 years. 

I fish well out into Hebgen and I have never seen the lake as low as it is this year. I know that Mother Nature is pushing the run fish up the river to spawn but there is very little water amongst the sandbars leading up into the Madison from Hebgen. If Hebgen does not get any water through this coming winter and spring, I fear for the run fish in 2008. I have also caught and released run-rainbows that have evidence of whirling disease. What are you hearing about whirling disease in Hebgen? 

It’s a shame that the fish weir has not been in operation for the past 23 years. If it had, we might have a better idea of what is really happening with the run fish out of Hebgen.

I really enjoy reading your blog reports. Keep up the good work. I’m just providing the above comments from someone who has a 23 year history with the run fish out of Hebgen. 

Have a good day guys.

Ken, “Back East”

We suggested to Ken that we’ll try and dig up the latest data on whirling disease in the Lake, and try and see what the experts view on low water levels impacting fall run migration into the river. 

Appreciate the thoughful insights Ken - see you on the river and lake next fall….

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