The Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works across a very diverse landscape that often involves activities with Tribal, state, and local government entities, landowners, conservation groups, as well as other federal agencies.

About Us

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is part of a network of field stations throughout the nation. The program fills a vital role in restoring and maintaining the health of the Nation’s fish and wildlife resources. The program functions like a general practitioner in the medical field: its biologists monitor the health of fish and wildlife resources, diagnose ailments, prescribe remedies, refer specific problems to specialists, and coordinate diverse efforts to restore and maintain health. The program helps avoid listing actions under the Endangered Species Act – or in other words, keeps the patient out of the intensive care unit. The American people benefit from healthier ecosystems and resulting increases in fishing and other recreational opportunities.

What We Do

Our office provides technical assistance to tribes; collaborates on fishery restoration with the National Fish Hatchery System; conducts scientific studies into fishery problems; restores habitat through the National Fish Passage Program and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan; and collaborates with partners to conserve migratory fishes that cross multiple jurisdictions.

Services
Tortoises saved and released on Eglin range

The Sikes Act requires most military installations within the United States to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for natural resource conservation and management (e.g., fish and wildlife, forestry, land management, outdoor recreation) on the installation. This conservation plan, known...

woman holding survey equipment

The National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance for projects that improve the ability of fish or other aquatic species to migrate by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by a barrier such as a dam or culvert. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists...

Dozens of silver fish swim over a rocky stream bed.

The National Fish Habitat Partnership is a national investment strategy designed to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to address the nation’s biggest fish habitat challenges and projects are identified and completed...

Our Organization

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Improving fish passage is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for communities and...
A jet black, scaly snake with a burnt orange colored face curled up in some grass
We foster collaborative partnerships with the Department of Defense to promote conservation on military lands. Working under the authority of the Sikes Act, we offer guidance and field support for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife resources on military installations while...
A view of the Sacramento River. Its flat, blue water is lined by bright green trees and vegetation. Blue skies are overhead.
The National Fish Habitat Partnership is a comprehensive effort to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. The Partnership is a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to...

Our Species

Currently the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office is focused on three species:

  • Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus)
  • Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
  • Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri)
An arctic grayling showing large, sail-like dorsal fin and colorful body markings.

Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a freshwater fish in the same family (Salmonidae) as salmon, trout, and whitefish. A distinctive morphological characteristic of this fish is its large, sail-like dorsal fin. Arctic grayling is an obligate cool- or cold-water species. Individual fish can...

FWS Focus
Bull trout and kokanee salmon underwater

Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are members of the family Salmonidae and are char native Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana and western Canada. Compared to other salmonids, bull trout have more specific habitat requirements that appear to influence their distribution and abundance....

FWS Focus

Location and Contact Information