Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration in the South Fork Flathead River Drainage: Conservation Biology in Practice

As applied to fisheries, the field of conservation biology draws from a broad range of disciplines to inform practical and sustainable management of aquatic resources.  Consideration of multiple biological (evolutionary, ecological) and social (political, economic) issues is especially critical when restoration projects encompass broad geographic scales and involve multiple agencies and diverse user groups.  Westslope cutthroat trout conservation efforts in the South Fork Flathead River drainage provide an example of how basic principles in conservation biology can be used to achieve long term solutions for native fish restoration that incorporate human dimensions as well.  This drainage comprises over half of the remaining interconnected habitat for nonhybridized westslope cutthroat trout within this fish’s historic range and provides outstanding angling opportunities in a wilderness setting.  To protect this resource, conservation management actions integrate the use of piscicide and genetic swamping to remove the threat of hybridization posed by introduced trout in 21 headwater lakes.  Successes and challenges of this project are discussed as well as exciting new opportunities for applied research aimed at advancing our ability to conserve aquatic ecosystems.