Access to the river is difficult, and the distance between access points is often considerable. The huge brown trout weighed 32.43 pounds, breaking the old state record which weighed 29 pounds and was caught out of Wade Lake in 1966 by E.H. "Peck"Bacon. Anyone interested in fishing Marias River or waters within the wider area around Great Falls should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. MAP. "The hunting is managed for a quality experience," Munther said. Text STOP to stop. Fishing pressure is very low on the Marias River below Tiber Dam, although what little fishing pressure there is happens just below the dam. The river's current was easy to hear in the quiet of evening. 7 days. The Marias River is one of those almost unheard of streams. Wet your line in any one of the beautiful waterways of Central Montana. The Marias River is void of any technical whitewater. It flows into Lake Elwell above Tiber Dam. Park at N48 20.466 W111 30.968 As smallmouth bass are lots of fun to catch fly fishing, don't rule out this stretch of the river. It was released on the Fraser River, too. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. Well-known to the tribe, the Marias River marks one of the most shameful massacres in U.S. history. Once we got a signal, Sierra looked up the state record and said it was a 29-pounder caught in 1966. Travel 4 miles South to Miller's Bottom at the Marias River. On Brazil's Xingu River, Kayapo warriors use the enormous fangs from vampire fish to cut and scar their arms. What is the size limit for trout in Oklahoma? Troutwest Fly Fishing advocates "catch and release" fishing. The second observation was given as 6929'45"; it must be 6029'45". fishing the marias river montanafishing the marias river montanafishing the marias river montana Dockter thought back to catching paddlefish and after about 15 minutes managed to steer the massive trout down river. 3 miles in width. Beginning about twelve miles or so below Tiber Dam, warming waters, irrigation use and slower water flows hamper productive trout fishing. 2023 www.greatfallstribune.com. There are also a few public-road bridges where anglers and can hop into the river, staying within the high-water mark. We had never eaten sturgeon before (and make sure if you catch one to identify whether it is a pallid sturgeon [endangered!] I fought him and eased him toward shore. SHELBY - Hunters who want to hunt deer on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406, must submit their application online during the month of June. Saturday night, the group camped inside the WMA boundaries, near where the. They range from 18 inches and maybe 2-plus pounds to 26 inches and 8.7 pounds, Clint Smith, a Lewistown area FWP fisheries biologist, said of the rainbows. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 6X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. The state park is where Belt Creek transitions from small cutthroat water to a wider river capable of hosting good-sized brown and rainbow trout. This afternoon newsletter keeps readers informed on the latest developments related to coronavirus. Sign up today to receive the Rundown, a curated collection of the week's top sports stories assembled every Monday by Tribune sports editor Donn Walden. Both were by Clarkat the mouth of the Marias River, and at Station Camp. From this point, the Marias River travels 170 miles east and then turns southeast towards the Missouri River. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Unlike some other Montana rivers that have fish seemingly crowding all along the stream bottom, the trout on the Marias River are generally dispersed. Doesnt anybody work anymore? he said, and laughed. Guide, All Rights Reserved. When this easement crosses over rivers (at bridges), the public is allowed to use that easement to access the stream. Tom Keer This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Marias River . The Tribune has a new weekly sports newsletter! After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. I was thinking Id finally gotten a brown over 10 pounds, but then she rolled in my headlamp and we realized this thing is next-level big.. Gonzaga second seed for WCC Tournament in Las Vegas. . Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. The Marias River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 210 mi (338 km) long, in the U.S. state of Montana. Floating in a raft the Marias below the tiber damn to Pugsley road bridge. Armed with only an ultralight rod and 4-pound line, at first the Conrad, Montana, angler thought a lake trout or bigmouth buffalo had taken his small Kastmaster spoon. . Please call TJ Laviolette at (406)223-2473 or email us at troutwest.mt@gmail.com for details. A nonprofit prairie restoration organizations called American Prairie owns a sizable chunk of land on the lower Judith called the PN Ranch, which offers public access along with a couple of rentable yurts. Available in both print and digital. The White Sturgeon population in Montana is part of a landlocked population occurring only in Kootenai River from Kootenai Falls in Montana downstream to Bonnington Falls in British Columbia (USFWS 1993). Dont be surprised to find a smallmouth bass in the marginal water, and there are northern pike and carp (and a variety of other species) downstream of Roundup. News: city@lmtribune.com; Subscriptions: online@lmtribune.com; Other: webmaster@lmtribune.com. The best trout fishing will be found in the first twelve miles or so below Tiber Dam. Experience six days on Montana's Marias River by canoe, paddling 80 miles from Tiber Dam downstream to Loma, exiting before the Marias merges with the Missou. Tiber Dam and its reservoir, Lake Elwell, are on the Marias River in north-central Montana. Although the river flows through prairie, it is still enjoyable, as cottonwood trees line its banks. Our home waters in this scenic area is the glacier fed Flathead River. The Marias River has some very nice size brown trout and rainbows as well. One often-overlooked aspect is that notice denying entry to private land must be posted. Give a Gift Belt Creeks hatches are not super heavy, but its trout regardless look to the surface with regularity. While fishing the Marias River, Robbie Dockter hooked, fought, and landed a 32.43-pound brown trout. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. 4. Fishing the Marias River Marias River Below Tiber Dam The upper stretch of the Marias River, between its origin and Lake Elwell (also called Tiber Reservoir ), has limited trout fishing but can provide decent fishing for walleyes, bass, large catfish and lots of whitefish.. For the most part, in this day of climate change, anglers will want to focus their trout fishing upstream of the town of Two Dot, though errant browns are found all the way down to around Roundup, about 150 river miles from Martinsdale. Joshua Bergan is Fly Fishermans digital editor. FISHING REPORT Montana fishing report: Sturgeon are surging on the Marias River Mario Small May 12, 2020 0 Rainbow trout like this one are cruising the shorelines at Hauser Reservoir. Sun & Moon Data. The crew of seven were now living across the state but had met while going to college in Bozeman. I asked her what the new record was and I was surprised when she said that was it. Error! or a shovelnose sturgeon). The Marias River is formed by the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River. The uppermost sixty miles is too warm for trout. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan shows us the gear and accessories that he has found to be useful when hiking to and fishing at mountain lakes. . It belonged to E.H. Peck Bacon and the 29-pound brown caught in Wade Lake in 1966. To read the full instructions and story see our February-March 2021 issue. The river has cottonwood trees along its banks mixed in with lots of brush and bushes. The tailwater lies in very remote country side and it wide and deep. Little River: Located above Pine Creek Lake in a remote area of southeast Oklahoma, Little River is home to plenty of fish species that will pull your drag, including largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass, crappie, carp, catfish, sunfish and sand bass. The Marias River twists and turns for more than sixty miles through rolling prairie, before spilling into Lake Elwell, a twenty-seven mile long lake formed by Tiber Dam. TCSO identified the men as Jared Russell, 43, of Missoula, and Jerid Kirschenheiter, 40, of Clinton. Can you float the Blue River in Oklahoma? What is the largest white sturgeon ever caught? Montana River Flows | Our timing meant reasonably cool temperatures, only a few rain showers, few mosquitoes and great river flows. painting a post, structure or natural object with at least 50 square inches of fluorescent orange paint. Below the dam, large brown trout can be found in fair numbers, averaging over three pounds with some approaching ten pounds. flanked by steep buttes ranging to 200 feet high. Marias River Ranch. With the frigid water temperatures the fish didnt jump or start making great runs, but he said the trout did whatever it wanted by swimming upstream as if it hadnt even been hooked. Approximately 1.5 million years ago, the Missouri River flowed northward into a terminal lake. While fishing the Marias River, Robbie Dockter hooked, fought, and landed a 32.43-pound brown trout. Only one thing could have made it a little better. And streamers can be hot on overcast days. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. Since fly fishing pressure is low, standard dry fly imitations also work well for the smaller fish, but are unlikely to catch the really large brown trout that are lurk in the Marias. Bass, Largemouth, Bass, Smallmouth, Bass, Spotted Good on plastic baits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, tube jigs around brush structure, river channel, rocks. Jason Rhoten, fisheries area manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, said that while the Marias does hold some nice trout, producing the state record was not expected. It's located in Montana, United States.Travel 12 miles east on Highway 2 from Shelby and turn right on the South Telstad road. Fishing While trout fishing is scarce in the Marias River's higher reaches, walleyes, bass, huge catfish, and a plethora of whitefish can be found in the area. The fishing was great for little ones! Choose wisely! Saturday morning saw a car shuttle, followed by two rafts, four kayaks, a pack raft and a canoe setting out on the river. Numerous public and private fishing ponds scattered throughout northern Montana are stocked with trout and warm water species. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 406-799-6358 While camping is allowed, there is a seven-day limit and only limited facilities. It is open to angling year-round along its entire length. Actual solitude, large and/or native trout, and an envy-inducing experience thats different from most other anglers are just a few of the calling cards of this part of Montana. Message and data rates may apply. In the loose clay at the bottom of sheer cliffs lining the river were trails made by deer that seemed able to defy gravity. Make Short Casts. Congratulations Robbie! Camping is permitted but the facilities are limited to restrooms. The fisherman landed a 32.42-pound brown in the dusk light on an undisclosed section of the river. Bald and golden eagles are the top predators of the sky, making the multitude of honking geese and quacking ducks nervous with their overflights. Experience one river, or a combination of rivers together! Montanas Musselshell River is a great example of a river out-of-staters might never have heard of. Often, in the Spring, we use topwater flies as well. My wife and I launched a 16-foot canoe from the Highway 223 bridge late on a Friday afternoon after the 300-mile drive from Billings. 19424 Queens Rd , La Cygne, KS, 66040, Linn County. The upper stretch of the Marias River, between its origin and Lake Elwell (also called Tiber Reservoir), has limited trout fishing but can provide decent fishing for walleyes, bass, large catfish and lots of whitefish.. At mile 22 we passed the mouth of the Marias River on our left, where Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent nearly ten days on their upriver trip: June 2 through 11, 1805. Ive fished this stretch a lot on its a very good fishery and some very big trout, Dockter said Friday evening. It is formed in Glacier County, in northwestern Montana, by the confluence of the Cut Bank Creek and the Two Medicine River. A smartphone navigation app like Avenza Maps is also recommended because it doesnt require an Internet signal, which can be scarce here. A mile down from the mouth of the Teton River, the Marias joins the Missouri Kerkorian Abandons Attempt To Purchase Chrysler Corp. Fact-checking the mega-hit musical Hamilton. The Blue River Association plays host to two annual trout derbies that take place the first in November on Veterans Day Weekend and the second in February on Presidents Day Weekend. My 14-year-old daughter Sierra comes along a lot. Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Common Carp, Walleye, Goldeye, Fresh Water Drum, Burbot, Yellow Perch, Shovelnose Sturgeon : Fort Benton Community Improvement Assoc . Above Tiber Reservoir (aka Lake Elwell), anglers might find a few trout, but its again mostly a warmwater fishery despite being nearer the Rocky Mountain Front than the tailwater section. It starts as two small forks that wind through desolate ranchland and national forest, before each enters its own water storage reservoir. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. We took a lot of pictures by the river to make sure it was documented, and then had to drive a bunch of miles to get reception. Cottonwood trees also line the bank, with an occasional downed tree providing much needed cover for the trout. I was worried about him rolling, so I worked him downstream until I could beach him on a gravel bar. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. 19. Its an outlier for that stretch of river. Was a short float at 5 miles and my first time using a raft. Not surprisingly, as the river runs through prime hopper country, hopper imitations become very important come mid-summer and work well through mid-September. Hoppers and streamers, again in their seasons, can also produce good results. Where does the Missouri River start and stop? There are a lot of rainbows and ciscoes in the river, so I wouldnt be surprised if it was a big, young, healthy fish. There are some quality fish in there, but its definitely an outlier, he said. The crew launched at the Highway 223 bridge and floated 57 miles downstream to Loma. The headwaters of the Marias River is at the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River, just south of the town of Cut Bank. Now is the time for Montanans to get out there, because its all theirs.. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. Working in the world of conservation, victories are rare, said Greg Munther, chairman of the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and conservation groups rarely take time to celebrate those victories. This increased traffic has occurred on many fisheries nationwide since the pandemic hit in 2020. The flows are meant to encourage endangered pallid sturgeon to use the river for spawning habitat. Dockter, an accomplished hunter, said the trout ranks on top of all his experiences in the outdoors. The reservoir offers a great variety to fish: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, sunfish, perch, walleye, sauger, white bass, and more. Dockter, fishing with his daughter at the end of daylight, landed what turned out to be a Montana record for brown trout, weighing 32.43 pounds, measuring 37 inches in length with a 28.5-inch. When the fish hit I knew it was big. It's an easy float, even for someone with minimal experience. Whitetail and mule deer, their coats rough as winter hair is shed, peered out cautiously from the thickets of Russian olive trees that lined the bank. Pennsylvania smallmouth and trout guide Jake Villwock shows you how to tie one of his signature flies, The Roamer. A group of boaters paddles down the Marias River over the Memorial Day weekend. You might have heard about the recent crowding on the Madison River. You can access the Musselshell from the Selkirk Fishing Access Road nearby, and there is good fishing all the way to the town of Two Dot. . Lincoln wanted it to be a public use area that was managed for the benefit of wildlife, Cunningham said. Listed below are selected river miles for the Marias River, from its source to its confluence with the Missouri River near Loma, Montana. When FWP bought the land, officials thought an existing road on the east side of the WMA would provide river access. Only the bottom-draw tailwater section is reliable trout water. With the high flows and long hours of daylight, we easily traveled 13 miles on the first day. Around here (NW Montana), folks pronounce the name Ma-RYE-as. And its not within 10 feet, nor 2 feet (both of which Ive heard anglers say), its within it. River, near Loma, Montana, over 170 miles southeast of its sources. Big Spring tends to have a wider variety of hatches by area standards, with reliable midge, Blue-winged Olive, Pale Morning Dun, and caddis hatches in their seasons. As we studied maps and Web sites, we found that the Marias River below Tiber Dam seemed to fit everything we sought: there were rumors of excellent fishing for a variety of species; reports of . Check the forecast and road conditions before embarking. Because it drains such a large area, its also especially prone to major floods. A group of boaters paddles down the Marias River over the Memorial Day weekend. There are fewer official fishing access sites in this remote part of the state, so understanding the Montana Stream Access Law can be a game changer here. It is Montana's third largest body of water, covering 35,181 acres and 76 miles of shore. The lower 57 miles of the river, starting at the Highway 223 bridge, provides a remote, wilderness-like float through spectacular mushroom-shaped hoodoos and steep sandstone cliffs rising 200 to 400 feet. The Blue River area was first explored by Squire Boone, Daniel Boones brother. The lowest 10 or so miles offer the worst trout habitat and the least access. The Ruby River is a spectacular small river fishery located in the beautiful Ruby Valley. Water data back to 1959 are available online. The Judith River also forms in the Little Belt Mountains where the Middle Fork joins the South Fork. There was another guy hunting the same area, and he didn't use a stand. Dockters catch breaks the former state brown trout record that was set by E.H. Peck Bacon in 1966. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. Questions or concerns about USGS data and data products in Montana and Wyoming can be directed to the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center Data Management Section. For that reason, the IGFA world record for a white sturgeon stands at only 468 pounds. Read Next: 15 Unbreakable Fishing Records, So I weighed it when we got home, but my scale wasnt certified so we went to sleep. The fish bottomed out the 30-pound scale, so we packed up and went to the butcher shop cause they had a 100-pound scale. Ground clearance, four-wheel drive, a spare tire, and a full gas tank are always recommended when visiting this area. Use a crayfish, dragging it along the bottom. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Last Wednesday, I was casting a Scheels 6-foot ultralight rod with Berkeley Trilene 4-pound test and a 3/8-ounce Kastmaster Brown Trout spoon. Great Falls, MT 59405 CONTACT 406-454-5840 Details SEASON April 1 - January 15 SPECIAL DIRECTIONS From I-15, Exit 358 east to Marias Valley Road, north 3.5 miles, turn west on Hjartarson Road, for 10.2 miles, then south 2.5 miles. A trout this ginormous, this behemoth if it weren't already a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks verified catch - it'd be easily dismissible as a flight of fancy ergo photoshop. HELENA The sun had set over an undisclosed stretch of the Marias River on March 3 when Robbie Dockter set the hook into something big. Montana is known for its outstanding trout fishing, but even that reputation was taken up a notch last week when a fisherman caught a new state record brown trout. Is there a size limit on trout in Oklahoma? Daily & Size Limits: (See maps and descriptions on Trout Area Information) There is no minimum size limit for rainbow, or brown trout at any state-designated trout area except in portions of the Lower Illinois River and the Lower Mountain Fork River. . In a down-to-the-wire barnburner of an Idaho Class 1A Division II state semifinal, third-seeded Kendrick settled a score from last year and dislodged the defending champions in one fell swoop Friday at Caldwell High School. Marias River near Loma MT. Its time that we anglers fish outside the Treasure States box of fame. Text LMT to 55678 to receive breaking news alerts/links to your phone. If you're new to floating or don't own any equipment, Bozeman's Madison River has got you covered. Its a really humbling experience and I think it proves that monsters do exist, and its proof that you just never know and it just takes that one cast, Dockter said. Its also largely inaccessible. There are no public takeouts between the two points in the remote north central part of the state. French may be contacted at french@billingsgazette.com. north of Valier, Montana. Twenty-four miles farther on, The attack is referred to in James Welchs book Fools Crow, as well as recounted in Blood on the Marias by writer Paul Wylie. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Located directly south of La Cygne, Kansas on the famed Marais Des Cygnes River sits this one-of-a-kind property, coming for sale . They were stuck there . You might see a bit more angling pressure than on other area streams (especially upstream of downtown Lewistown), but the fishing rarely seems to suffer. Fly Fishing the Marias River The Marias River recently gained a great deal of press when Montana's 50-plus-year-old state brown trout record fell to a local spin angler in March of 2021. No commercial outfitters along the river are allowed and public access points are limited. The anglers discovered a tattooed human forearm while Conservation groups are hailing the decision as a Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Marias River at Highway 223 bridge near Chester,MT : 03/03 00:45 MST -- -- --- Ssn : 06102050: Marias River near Loma MT : 03/03 00:00 MST : Ssn : Ssn : 340 : Ssn : They spent two days on the Marias River, floating about 30 miles from Sullivan Bridge north of Valier to Williamson Park south of Shelby. Heavy with history, the 170-mile-long river starts in the Rocky Mountains near Valier, Mont., before joining the Missouri River just outside the community of Loma. The river is approximately 150 feet wide through this section. For the next three days we would leap-frog the group, exchanging knowledge, questions and jokes. The Marias River begins at the confluence of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River, near Cut Bank, Montana. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The water often runs very clear and quite swift, so achieving passable dry-fly drifts can be challenging, but the rewards can be great. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. And anglers could tie into something noteworthy from one of the public-road bridges, as brown and rainbow trout remain in the river to its mouth. When my light shined on his head and back, I knew we werent going to get him in the net. The South Fork snakes across dry ranchland along Montana Route 294 prior to being diverted into Martinsdale Reservoir near the reservoirs namesake town. The Wildlife Management Area is open to hunting but is limited to 10 deer hunters per week. These fish won't be caught from shore, though. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He was a spot and spooker. You throw out your line, play awhile, and watch for a bite. The river is impounded by the Tiber Dam to form Lake Elwell, a reservoir used for irrigation and recreation. All Rights Reserved. Dockter remembered seeing a 25-pound chinook salmon caught in Tiber Reservoir and kept telling Sierra he thought the fish theyd just landed might be bigger. The lower Judith River, however, flows through a lush cottonwood lowland surrounded by uneven sandstone ridges. Dominated by browns, most of the fish run between 14-18" with fish over 20" a real . These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Those flows are nothing compared to the highest rate ever recorded on the Marias River. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. March is when they start targeting brown trout, and March 3 started out as a typical father-daughter fishing trip. Montanas Stream Access Law states that recreationists can use rivers and streams capable of recreational use regardless of streambed ownership, as long as they have accessed the streambed from a public place or with landowner permission. Got one nice cuttbow. The Upper Marias River is easy to see from Interstate 15 just south of Shelby, but the undammed section of the Marias River upstream of Tiber Dam flows through the prairie, mostly hidden from view. His fish was verified by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), as the new state. Lewis often left a space for that information in the summaries of his observations, but never put any values in those blanks. But on the end of the line was a fish that would shatter a record that has stood more than half a century in Montana for a brown trout. Success! BRETT. As smallmouth bass are lots of fun to catch fly fishing, don't rule out this stretch of the river. It can be a reset button for your life. The next morning, they took the fish to a shop with a certified scale in Conrad. Chance of snow 70%. There are also a couple of upper-river tributaries that offer trout, and a couple of fishable reservoirs within the drainage. Advertising | After a lockdown that lasted less than one hour Friday morning, Lewiston High School was determined to be secure by law enforcement officers following a report that shots had been fired. By this time it was dark, so I turned on my head lamp and Sierra got the net. Is this home right up your alley? Troutwest Fly Fishing provides fly fishing guide services on a great selection of Montana rivers. Madison River Tubing, Bozeman. Other Animal Production Animal Production and Aquaculture Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting Printer Friendly View Address: 390 Donovan Rd Shelby, MT, 59474-1576 United States It is best fished from a pontoon type drift boat. However, an adjacent landowner disputed that the road was not public. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. One such area worthy of exploration is what I call middle Montana. While the streams in this region dont boast the fish-per-mile statistics of the Bighorn or Yellowstone, they offer a different but equal appeal. Soldiers from Fort Ellis, near Bozeman, marched cross-country in January 1870 and found a band of peaceful Piegans wintering along the Marias. Fishing Derby . The Marias River is popular for both fishing and floating. The agency, in concert with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, is mimicking spring runoff with heavy flows of 2,000 cubic feet per second in the spring. The Marias River-Teton River drainage divide area landform origins, Chouteau County, Montana essay describes landforms east of the study region while . On the way I called the warden to come and look at it, and sure enough, the weight was confirmed at 32.43 pounds. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. a big boar, a sow, and cub. While some large brown trout can still be found, the Marias River turns over into a warm water fishery, with shovelnose sturgeon, walleye, pike, catfish and bass being the primary species.