Fishing Regulations
on Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

• State Fishing Regulations apply to all Refuge waters.
  
• Fishing is permitted from the third Saturday in May through the end of November on Odell Creek, Red Rock Creek, and Elk Springs Creek west of Elk Lake Road.
  
• Wigeon Pond, Culver Pond, MacDonald Pond, Picnic Creek, and Elk Springs Creek east of Elk Lake Road are open July 15 through September 30. Because of their importance as nesting grounds for trumpeter swans, waterfowl, and other water birds, fishing in these areas is closed until July 15. Likewise, the Upper and Lower Red Rock Lakes are crucial trumpeter swan habitat and as such are not open to fishing at all, as discarded lures and fishing line and increased human disturbance would be hazardous to swans and other water birds.
  
• To prevent waterfowl poisoning, lead sinkers are prohibited.
  
• Tubes and other flotation devices are prohibited on Refuge waters unless specifically posted as open at parking areas.
  
• Artificial lures and flies are required at Culver and MacDonald Ponds. Bait fishing is allowed on other Refuge waters open to fishing.
  
• Please pack your trash.

For general information, call (406)444-2535 or TDD (406)444-1200.

Arctic Grayling

Distinguished by large dorsal fin, larger scales than trout and forked tail. May reach two pounds in weight. Spawns in the early spring. Historically, spawning runs of many thousands were seen in most streams of this area. Now, only a remnant population is found, mainly in Red Rock Creek. Aquatic insects and crustaceans form the bulk of the grayling’s diet.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Distinguished by two red slash marks on the underside of jaw and large, round, black spots. Found primarily in Red Rock Creek. Spawns in the spring. Hybridizes readily with rainbow trout. Weighs up to four pounds. Feeds mainly on aquatic insects and less frequently on small fishes.

Brook Trout

Distinguished by numerous light colored "worm tracks" on the darker upper body and red spots with blue halos. Introduced from the eastern United States. Found throughout the Refuge waters except MacDonald Pond. Weighs two to three pounds. Spawns in the fall. Feeds mainly on aquatic invertebrates and small fishes.

Whirling Disease Information

Recently, the health of some of the trout within the Centennial Valley, particularly Red Rock Creek, has been threatened by whirling disease. Though first documented in the United States in 1956, the disease was only discovered in Montana in late 1994. Whirling disease is caused by the parasite, Myxobolus cerebralis, which attacks the skeletal structure of salmonids (trout, salmon, and grayling) and causes them to swim in circles. It does this by lodging in and deforming the cartilage of young fish. The deformity becomes permanent when the cartilage turns to bone, resulting in curved spines and head deformities which in turn cause nerve damage. The infected fish’s whirling behavior is the result of this nerve damage. Although the whirling may not directly kill a trout, an infected fish’s erratic tail chasing makes it more vulnerable to predation and also makes feeding difficult, potentially leading to starvation and death. In the Centennial Valley, brook and hybrid rainbow-cutthroat trout have been found infected with whirling disease.

Although there are no human risks associated with eating affected trout, people can contribute to the spread of this disease. Recently, a Whirling Disease Initiative was established between Montana State University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the National Partnership on the Management of Wild and Native Cold Water Fisheries (administered by the Montana University System Water Center). For more information on whirling disease, its management, and what you can do to control its spread, contact the website below and websites related to Refuge Management.

Montana Fishing Information Website

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Includes eight main areas: Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife, Parks, News, Education, Kid’s Page, and Resources. Within these areas are information on hunting and fishing regulations, parks information, Montana threatened and endangered species, descriptions of several of Montana’s Wildlife Management Areas, rundowns on FWP’s education programs—including a complete guide to education trunks available to teachers and others. The site provides links to the Natural Resources Information System, Travel Montana, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Montana Online, important whirling disease information sites, and various news and weather links.