What To Know About Brown Trout In Montana's Flathead River

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks confirms finding non-native brown trout in Flathead River
If you catch a brown trout in the Flathead River, Montana FWP wants you to kill it immediately and report to them

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Finds Non-Native Brown Trout

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On July 14, 2025, Montana Outdoor reported that Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks confirmed detection of a non-native brown trout in the Flathead River. The fish was caught upstream of the Pressentine Fishing Access Site closer to Evergreen.

If You See This Fish In Montana Kill It

If you happen to catch any brown trout in this area, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks asks the you kill them and contact the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1 office. Their number is 406.752.5501. You will also be asked for the fish and where and when you caught it.

Brown Trout Can Cause Harm To Native Trout Species

How is it that a trout can hurt the environment for other trout?

Montana Outdoor reports that brown trout will out compete other trout species and that they go after juveniles.

These species disrupt aquatic ecosystems by altering food webs, reducing biodiversity, and threatening native species critical to Montana’s fisheries.--Montana Outdoor

How Can You Easily Identify A Brown Trout?

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Brown trout are identified by their golden brown to yellow-brown color, with dark spots often surrounded by lighter halos, and sometimes with red or orange spots.--Montana Outdoor

The 10 Biggest Native Fish Caught in Montana Waters

These really are the ones that didn't get away! With records that date back to 1916, some of these are serious lunkers and make me want to reconsider taking a dip in certain lakes or rivers. Here are the Top 10 biggest native fish on record ever caught in Big Sky Country.

Gallery Credit: JD Knight