Whirling Disease in Montana Waters

All major coldwater basins in Montana have tested positive for whirling disease with two exceptions: the Kootenai and the Bighorn.

Waters with high infection include:

Rock Creek (Clark Fork tributary above Missoula)
Madison River
Several tributaries of the Big Blackfoot River
Little Prickly Pear Creek (Missouri tributary)

Below is a list of key waters in Montana infected with whirling disease. In most cases, the disease has not led to significant fishery degradation. Several remain blue ribbon trout streams:

Big Blackfoot River
Big Hole River
Bitterroot River
Clark Fork River
DePuy Spring Creek
Gallatin River (East)
Georgetown Lake
Jefferson River
Little Blackfoot River
Madison River
Missouri River
Ruby River
Sun River
Swan River
Yellowstone River

For a current listing of test results for Montana waters, call Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 406-444-2449.