Saving Cutthroat River

Diverse partnerships protect and enhance one of Eastern Idaho's premier trout streams

No matter what their connection is to a river, people are what fisheries management is all about. A common saying in resource management is that “it’s as much about the fish as it is about the people involved." That's also what you will hear  folks say who are restoring the historic Blackfoot River's cutthroat trout fishery. 

The relationships formed between land users, conservation groups and resource managers exemplify Idaho's commitment to keeping natural treasures alive and fostering a tradition of multiple use. A great example is the long-term restoration project on the Blackfoot River aimed at reviving what was once among Idaho’s best resident trout streams. 

The Blackfoot River and Blackfoot Reservoir used to provide anglers a remarkable fishing opportunity for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and with help from many stakeholders, that opportunity is on its way to being a reality once again. Aquatic habitat has gradually improved in the river due to diverse and ongoing efforts and partnerships, which have changed land-use practices and enhanced areas where severe habitat impacts occurred in the past.