Watershed
Effective beginning 6/2/2025: This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency, is under review and content may change.
The broad array of habitats supports a variety of species including lichens, Plains Spadefoot Toads, Iowa darters, and two subspecies of cutthroat trout.
- From over 4300 miles of streams and rivers to;
- more than 300 high mountain lakes and
- several prairie reservoirs the Custer Gallatin National Forest watersheds provide 3 municipal water supplies and support many recreational activities.
Many of the resources we manage are iconic internationally, such as the trout fisheries in the Yellowstone, Gallatin and Madison Rivers. Maintaining high functioning watersheds, along with the soils, air and water quality are a priority. It is the basis of vibrant habitats, healthy communities and world-class recreational opportunities.
We actively partner with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana State University, Yellowstone National Park, Trout Unlimited, American Fisheries Society, and many local conservation groups, industries and private individuals. These partnerships take many forms, from collaboration on habitat restoration and native species conservation to accessible fishing opportunity development.
Recreational Fishing Information
Fish Your Custer Gallatin National Forest
The 3.1 million acre Custer Gallatin National Forest offers an incredible variety of fishing opportunities for all types of anglers. We offer thousands of miles of fishable streams and rivers and is also home to hundreds of high mountain lakes and reservoirs. This vast diversity of aquatic habitats allows for an incredible array of recreational fishing opportunities. Whether you like to fly-fish a small tributary stream, try your hand at the fish in a rugged high-alpine lake, or ice-fish a reservoir accessible by vehicle, the Custer Gallatin offers many different angling experiences.
Plan Your Fishing Trip
Other Helpful Links:
Help Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species!
Your National Forests provide outstanding recreational fishing opportunities, but Aquatic Invasive Species can permanently disrupt and degrade aquatic ecosystems and diminish the abundance and diversity of fish available to anglers. Therefore, its essential that we all do our part to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species by Cleaning, Draining, and Drying all fishing gear and watercraft.
Rivers
Boulder River
The Boulder River originates on Mount Douglas in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and flows approximately 60 miles north where it enters the Yellowstone River near Big Timber, Montana. The upper reaches of the stream flow through a glacial valley. This stream reach has moderate to steep gradients with flat rocky riffles flowing between widely spaced runs and pools. The stream bed in this reach is made up of primarily boulders and cobbles. The Boulder River from Falls Creek Campground to the Natural Bridge is less steep; gravels make up the majority of the bed material in this reach. The stream in this area has a good mixture of riffles, runs and deep pools. The Boulder River leaves the Gallatin National Forest at the Natural Bridge overlook. The majority of land ownership below the forest boundary is private and access to the stream is limited, although several state fishing access sites are present in this reach.
Species
Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brook, Brown, Mountain Whitefish
Seasons
The Boulder River is open to fishing year round. Catch and release fishing regulations are in effect for rainbow trout above Natural Bridge. Visit Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks for additional fishing regulation information.
Access
The Boulder River can be accessed via highway 298 and Forest Road 6639. Many areas are accessible for fishing from the road or campgrounds found within the drainage. In addition several trailheads provide access to small fishable tributaries.
Camping
A number of Forest Service campgrounds are located throughout the Boulder River drainage. Area campgrounds include: Falls Creek, Big Beaver, Aspen, Chippy Park, Hell's Canyon, and Hicks Park. Details on each campground can be found in the Recreation section of this site.
Comments
The Boulder River provides excellent opportunities for wild trout fishing in a beautiful setting. Opportunities for boat fishing are limited to the lower river because the upper portions are too rocky and treacherous. Wade fishing is the most popular form of fishing on the Boulder River. Boulders make wading difficult in many areas in the upper sections of the river so care should be taken when fishing these areas. Native cutthroat trout are restricted to the headwater portions of the stream while rainbow trout and brown trout are abundant in the lower portions of the River.
Gallatin River
The Gallatin River originates from Gallatin Lake at 9950 feet above sea level in Yellowstone National Park. It then meanders for about 20 miles through a mountain meadow setting before entering the Gallatin Canyon in the vicinity of the Taylor Fork drainage. At the Taylor Fork confluence, the valley floor narrows and the river assumes a higher gradient with faster water velocities and larger sized streambed materials. The Gallatin retains this character of deep pools separated by high velocity riffles and runs, with an abundance of boulder formed pocket water for a distance of about 35 miles. At that point, the river leaves the Forest and enters the Gallatin Valley, where it flows north through private land toward the Three Forks of the Missouri River.
Species Present:
Rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout, Brook trout, Mountain whitefish, and rarely Arctic Grayling
Seasons:
Open all year, some sections of the Gallatin River are subject to special regulations. Fishing in Yellowstone National Park requires a special fishing permit, which can be obtained at the Park Service Ranger stations. Fishing from a boat is not permitted in the Gallatin River from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the confluence with the East Gallatin River. See Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks web site at FISHMT for additional fishing regulation information.
Access:
US Highway 191 parallels the entire length of the river as it flows through the Gallatin National Forest. Numerous access sites and pullouts can be found along the way. Access to the lower three miles of the river is slightly more difficult, due to private land.
Two universally accessible fishing platforms were constructed by the Gallatin National Forest at the Deer Creek Trailhead and Moose Creek Camp Ground. They were constructed with financial contributions from, Madison Gallatin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Federation of Fly Fishers, Western Rocky Mountain Council, Headwaters Fly Fishers, and the National Forest Foundation.
Camping:
Overnight camping at developed sites can be found along the river corridor at Red Cliff, Spire Rock, Greek Creek, Swan Creek and Moose Creek Flat Campgrounds. Dispersed camping on national forest lands outside of developed campgrounds is prohibited within 1/2 mile of US 191 between May 15 and September 15. Details on each campground can be found in the Recreation section of this site.
Comments:
The Gallatin River contains a popular stretch of whitewater, which attracts recreational and commercial floaters during spring run-off. This section between Moose Creek Flat and Squaw Creek Bridge can receive heavy boat traffic. Wade fishing is the most popular form of fishing on the Gallatin River. Fishing from a boat is prohibited. Please use caution when wading especially in the canyon section, which contains swift currents and slippery rocks.
The Taylor Fork is a large tributary that enters the Gallatin River about three miles downstream of the Yellowstone National Park boundary. This drainage contains extensive amounts of a highly erosive fine textured soil, which has the capability of discoloring the river during spring runoff and also after localized thunderstorm events. Clear water can usually be found upstream of the Taylor Fork.
Cold water temperatures, and harsh overwintering conditions limit fish production in the upper Gallatin River. Rainbow trout are the most common trout species in the river. Fish densities are highest downstream of the West Fork of the Gallatin, which enters the main river near the Big Sky exit on U.S 191. Recent rainbow trout population estimates conducted by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks personnel, indicate the number of fish over 8 inches are in excess of 1400 fish per mile downstream of the West Fork of the Gallatin River.
Peak flows and maximum turbidity usually occur between May 1 and June 30. The salmon fly (Pteronarcys californica) hatch on the Gallatin River usually occurs between June and mid July.
Madison River
The Madison River originates at the confluence of the Gibbon and the Firehole Rivers in Yellowstone National Park about 15 miles east of the Gallatin Forest Boundary. Within the Gallatin, several short sections of the upper Madison River are located above and below Hebgen Lake, and also downstream of Earthquake Lake. Each of these stretches of river can provide a unique angling opportunity. The South Fork of the Madison River is also a major tributary lying entirely within National Forest Systems lands.
Species:
Rainbow trout, Westslope Cutthroat trout, Brook trout, Mountain whitefish, and rarely Arctic Grayling
Seasons:
Madison River from Yellowstone National Park to Hebgen Reservoir is open from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30. Hebgen Dam to Quake Lake is open the entire year. Quake Lake outlet to McAtee Bridge is open the third Saturday in May through the end of February. The South Fork of the Madison is open June 15 through November 30. See Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks fishing regulations or check their web site at FISHMT for additional fishing regulation information.
Access:
The portion of river below Hebgen Lake can be accessed via Highway 287. The South Fork Madison is accessible from Forest Road 291 and 478 via Highway 20 and the main stem Madison is readily accessible off Highways 191 and 287. A detailed access map of most fishing access sites for the Madison River can be viewed at VisitMT.com.
Camping:
Area campgrounds include Bakers Hole, Beaver Creek, Cabin Creek, Cherry Creek, Lonesomehurst, and Rainbow Point. Details on each campground can be found in the Recreation section of this site.
Comments:
Only a small portion of the upper Madison River is located on National Forest systems lands. Land ownership along the rest of the river includes Yellowstone National Park and private lands. To fish inside Yellowstone Park, a separate National Park fishing license is required and can be obtained from the Park Service or local vendors in West Yellowstone or Gardiner. Yellowstone National Park fishing regulations can be viewed at NPS.gov.
A unique fishing opportunity exists in the short section of the Madison River upstream of Hebgen Lake during the fall, when brown trout migrate upstream to spawn. The stretch of the Madison River between Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake has good access along Highway 287 and offers fishable water when other streams and rivers are high and turbid. The short reach of the Madison River below Earthquake Lake is dominated by a very high gradient section created by the 1959 Madison Slide, which limits fishing. Gradient is less steep near Forest Boundary. The famous salmon fly hatch usually occurs in this section of the Madison River between Ennis and Earthquake Lake during the month of July.
The South Fork of the Madison River can be characterized as a classic, low gradient, pool/riffle meandering stream. The South Fork also supports a large brown trout spawning run during the fall and is a primary source for brown trout recruitment to Hebgen Lake.
Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River originates in the Absaroka Mountains in extreme northern Wyoming. Flowing to the north, the river enters Yellowstone National Park 15 miles from its headwaters and then into the southeast arm of Yellowstone Lake. About 30 miles downstream of the lake outlet the river flows over the Upper and Lower Falls, through Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, past Tower Falls and then through the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone. The first major tributary is the Lamar River entering just below Tower Junction in Yellowstone Park. The next major tributary, the Gardiner River, enters near the town of Gardiner, MT. North of Gardiner the river flows through approximately 15 miles of mostly privately owned land and then through Yankee Jim Canyon, a two-mile white-water reach that is within the Gallatin National Forest. The River through Yankee Jim Canyon varies between Class 3 and Class 4 whitewater during extreme high water in the spring.
Species:
Rainbow trout, Yellowstone Cutthroat trout, Brook trout, Mountain whitefish
Seasons:
The mainstem Yellowstone River from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the I-90 bridge in Billings is open the entire year for fishing. Special seasons do apply within the park. Contact Yellowstone National Park at (307) 344-7381 or browse their web site at NPS.gov for information on fishing seasons and regulations.
See Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks web site at FISHMT for additional fishing regulation information.
Access:
National Forest fishing access sites with boat launching ramps include the McConnel access site 3 miles north of Gardiner, the Corwin Springs access site 6 miles north of Gardiner, and the Joe Brown access site near Yankee Jim Canyon. The Bureau of Land Management maintains an access site with a boat launch near the Carbella bridge, 1 mile downstream of the canyon. Many other state fishing access sites are located along the river throughout Paradise Valley downstream to Billings. A good web site to view locations of fishing access points is VisitMT.com.
Camping:
Overnight camping along the Yellowstone River on National Forest is limited to Yankee Jim campground, which is 15 miles north of Gardiner along Highway 89. Overnight camping is also permitted at many of the state fishing access areas. Details on each campground can be found in the Recreation section of this site.
Comments:
The Yellowstone River between Gardiner and Livingston supports a nationally renowned cold-water trout fishery. In 1959, the Montana Fish and Game Commission classified the river from Gardiner, MT to Big Timber, MT as a "Blue Ribbon" fishery. This 103 mile segment comprises 23 percent of the Blue Ribbon waters in the state and is the longest single stretch of Blue Ribbon water. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks currently classifies the Yellowstone River between Gardiner and Springdale, including Yankee Jim Canyon, as a Class 1 river according to the current rating system. Class 1 is the highest value rank possible and indicates an exceptional resource based on sport fishery potential, habitat conditions, species composition and other recreational values.
Most fishing in the Yellowstone River below Gardiner is done by boat. However, some bank fishing is possible at many of the fishing access areas. Please use extreme caution when fishing from the bank. The river is deep, fast, and the bank drops-off abruptly.
Some excellent fishing opportunities can be had on the portion of river in Yellowstone National Park. To fish the Park, a fishing license can be obtained from the Parks Service or local vendors in nearby communities.
Water Bodies/Fisheries
For local conditions, regulations, stocking programs and more visit FishMT
To search a specific water body, explore the FishMT map
Many of the larger river tributaries provide excellent small stream fishing opportunities. These streams vary in character from small meandering meadow type channels that are easily overlooked, to high gradient boulder dominated mountain streams up to 30 feet in width.
Native fish species present in these streams include Westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and arctic grayling. Non-native fish species include rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout. Fish found in small mountain streams on the Custer Gallatin typically do not exceed more than 10 inches in length due to cold-water temperatures, short growing seasons, and low stream productivity. However, these tributaries do contribute fish recruitment to major rivers by providing high quality spawning and rearing habitat.
Brook and rainbow trout fisheries are the most common on the forest. Generally brook and brown trout tend to dominate the lower gradient, lower elevation habitat, while rainbow and cutthroat trout typically inhabit the upper reaches. Fish densities are usually highest in lower elevation stream reaches near the Forest boundary or in low gradient meandering streams found in mountain meadows. High densities of brook trout are also found in streams supporting active beaver colonies.
Accessibility of these streams varies greatly. Many streams have a forest road paralleling much of the stream corridor, allowing for many access points. Others offer universally accessible fishing platforms. Still others originate deep in the Wilderness, in rugged and primitive locations. Small streams on the Custer Gallatin provide a high quality fishing experience for all types of anglers.
The high mountain lakes on the Custer Gallatin National Forest offer a very diverse and high quality recreational fishing opportunity. Many of these lakes are located between 7,500 and 11,000 feet in elevation, in glacial cirques, scours, moraines and timberless plateaus of the Absaroka-Beartooth and Lee Metcalf Wilderness Areas.
The most common fish species inhabiting these high mountain lakes include Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Rainbow-Cutthroat Hybrids, Brook Trout, Golden Trout, and Arctic Grayling.
Short growing seasons, cold water temperatures, and low nutrients limit the productivity of many of the forest's high mountain lakes. Fish size and population density can vary widely, depending also on the potential for natural recruitment, overwintering conditions, angling pressure, and accessibility.
Most high lakes are open to fishing year around, though access is generally limited to summer months between July and September. Often high-elevation lakes are covered with ice into July. Special angling restrictions may be in place on inlet and outlet streams to protect spawning fish from over harvest.
Visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Mountains Lakes Fishing Guide for more details.
Reservoirs
Scenic Hyalite Reservoir is a 206 acre impoundment located about 12 miles south of Bozeman, Montana. Yellowstone cutthroat, arctic grayling, and brook trout provide many angler days throughout the year, including a very popular ice fishery. Ice typically begins to form on Hyalite Reservoir in late November with adequate thickness for safe ice fishing by Christmas depending on temperatures. Summer sees a variety of anglers. Motorized craft is allowed, but a no-wake rule is in effect.
Hebgen Lake, created in 1915, supplies over 12,000 acres of high quality brown and rainbow trout fishing within a few minutes drive of West Yellowstone, Montana. The Madison, Grayling and South Fork arms along with the main lake body provide over 50 miles of shoreline fishing opportunity. Fishing is popular year-round on Hebgen Lake, with excellent ice fishing in the winter and all varieties of shoreline, float tube and boat anglers throughout the rest of the year.
Hebgen Lake is surrounded by both public and private land, so it is important to know where you are to avoid trespassing. Strong winds and rough water are common on Hebgen Lake, demanding prudent boating skills and a watchful eye on the weather.
Mystic Lake is located at the head of Bozeman Creek just south of Bozeman, MT. It provides the City of Bozeman with a large percentage of its water supply. It is not accessible by vehicle; instead ambitious anglers must hike, bike or ride a horse in to the lake, where the fishing can be rewarding!
Mystic Lake, created by a dam managed by Northwestern Energy, is located along the West Rosebud on the Beartooth Ranger District. It is the largest and second deepest lake in the Beartooth Mountains. Mystic Lake is only accessible by foot; one must hike a 3- mile trail, gaining 1,300 feet in elevation, to view or fish this scenic lake. Anglers will find a self-sustaining rainbow trout population in Mystic Lake that hasn't needed re-stocking since the 1950s.
Watershed Restoration Projects
The Watershed team is constantly working to maintain, protect, and enhance aquatic habitat across the Custer Gallatin. Below are a variety of restoration tools.
These structures allow for the natural passage of aquatic species (fish, frogs, salamanders, insects, microorganisms), upstream and downstream within a stream channel. They are also engineered to accommodate high-water flows. Project areas on the Custer Gallatin include the Upper Shields River, Davis Creek, Buck Creek and Eagle Creek.
These structures, either natural or man-made, prevent the upstream movement of fishes and aquatic organisms. Fish barriers may be constructed to prevent upstream movements of nonnative aquatic organisms into streams with native fish populations. Project areas on the Custer Gallatin include the Upper Shields River, South Fork Madison River and Teepee Creek.
These projects aim to restore native fish species into historically populated and/or protected watersheds. These re-introductions typically occur in unique settings, located above natural or man-made fish barriers. Here, native species can reproduce and thrive without the threat of competition or hybridization with other nonnative species. In these restoration projects, the existing fish populations above the barrier are reduced by use of a piscicide. Then, pure strains of native fish are introduced into the system. Project areas on the Custer Gallatin include Rainbow Lakes, Soda Butte Creek, North Fork Spanish Creek and Cherry Creek.
These man-made structures are designed to mimic the form and function of a natural beaver dam. BDAs can also be used to increase probability of successful beaver translocation by creating conducive habitat. Project areas on the Custer Gallatin include Cherry Creek, North Derby Creek and the Upper Shields River.
These projects restore native conditions and improve habitat conditions by planting and/or reintroducing native plant species around riparian areas. This is also an essential component of restoration project work; to re-vegetate areas temporarily disturbed by the project activities.
These projects are designed and implemented to improve habitat conditions and ensure long-term sustainability of the aquatic organisms. Activities might include installing large woody debris or creating pools.
Native Aquatic Species
The Custer Gallatin National Forest is inhabited by two subspecies of native cutthroat trout, the Yellowstone and westslope cutthroat. Historically westslope cutthroat trout inhabited the upper Missouri River system down to Fort Benton, Montana and the headwaters of the Judith, Marias, and Milk Rivers. Yellowstone cutthroat trout historically inhabited the upper portions of the Snake River drainage in eastern Idaho and the Yellowstone River in northwestern Wyoming and Montana. Cutthroat trout are Montana's official state fish and are an important part of our Montana heritage after being discovered by Lewis and Clark on the 1805 Corps of Discovery journey.
Visit Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Guide from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to learn more.
Visit Westslope Cutthroat Trout Guide from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to learn more.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout became isolated in the headwaters of the Snake River after the creation of Shoshone Falls 30,000-60,000 years ago. Between 8000-12000 years ago Yellowstone cutthroat trout entered the Yellowstone River Drainage from the Snake River Drainage at Two Ocean Pass in what is now Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Yellowstone cutthroat trout subsequently colonized all suitable habitats within the drainage. Since the late 1800s the occupied range of stream dwelling Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the state of Montana has decreased by approximately 90%.
Current distribution and abundance of westslope cutthroat trout is also severely restricted compared to historical conditions. Genetically unaltered westslope cutthroat trout are believed to exist in less than about 3 percent of the historic range within the upper Missouri River basin. Causes for the decline of native cutthroat include competition with and predation by non-native fish species, genetic introgression, over fishing, and habitat degradation. Many of the remaining genetically pure populations are located in small isolated headwater streams and are very vulnerable to extinction through both natural and human disturbances.
Due to severe reductions in distribution, westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout are considered Sensitive Species by Region 1 of the Forest Service, and a Species of Special Concern by the state of Montana. A Memorandum of Understanding and Conservation Agreement has been developed by a broad range of entities to expedite implementation of conservation measures for both westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The basic premise of this management plan is to protect existing populations, and ensure long-term persistence of westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout within their historic Montana range.
Management of cutthroat trout on the Custer Gallatin National Forest focuses on conserving and protecting genetically pure populations. Maintaining and expanding these populations is critical to achieve the long-term goal of increasing the number of pure populations of cutthroat trout throughout their historic range. The protection of westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout from non-native fish species is key to the survival of these populations. Forms of protection could include the construction of temporary or permanent fish barriers and/or the removal of non-native fish species from certain streams or stream segments. As of 2015, through extensive cooperative efforts between State, Federal, and Tribal agencies, along with conservation groups and industry, native cutthroat have been restored or secured in over 100 miles of stream within CGNF watersheds.
Habitat quality must also be addressed in the conservation of native cutthroat trout populations. In order for cutthroat trout to thrive, the habitat in which they live must be in very good condition. Some of our strongest cutthroat populations are found in pristine watersheds where natural processes optimize the quality a quantity of fish habitat. Protection of cutthroat habitat includes enhancement or restoration of critical habitat components and/or watersheds, reducing the negative effects of current land management practices, and ensuring that future land management activities result in either a beneficial or benign effect on cutthroat trout habitat.
The Custer Gallatin National Forest is home to a variety of native prairie fish. These include the Iowa Darter, brassy minnows, white suckers, and lake chub. Although many of these species aren’t well known, they are the ecosystem foundation supporting many more well-known native species such as sauger, or non-native species like walleye and smallmouth bass. They also provide information regarding water quality and quantity, riparian habitat condition, and other habitat variables.
An emerging emphasis for our watershed program is understanding the current and potential distribution of native prairie fishes on our East Zone (Ashland and Sioux Ranger Districts). In addition to fish sampling, we are mapping flow regimes of streams on these landscapes as well as barriers to Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP). For prairie fish, even ephemeral or intermittent streams can be critical for spawning migrations; therefore, we are already beginning the process of removing or modifying culverts on primary tributaries of the Tongue River to ensure Forest streams are accessible.
A native species resembling a toad, spadefoots are amphibians that use their specially-designed hind feet to burrow in sandy soils. Their distribution is limited to our montane districts, and breeding habitat is sparse. Therefore, we have created additional breeding sites for the species where they exist to provide more resiliency to the populations in those locations.
This freshwater bivalve is found largely in Pacific drainages west of the Continental divide, but has been found in the headwaters of the Missouri River. Cutthroat trout are an important host species for the larval form of the mussel; the microscopic larvae has hooks that enable it to attach to fish. Consequently, this hitch-hiking can help with species distribution. It is speculated that the western pearlshell mussel hitched a ride on cutthroat trout as they migrated to the eastern side of the divide long ago.
See photos and distribution map of the Western Pearlshell Mussel from Montana Field Guide.
Western glacier stonefly adults are very small brown insects with two pairs of translucent wings. The immature nymphs are aquatic and emerge from the water for final development stages. These stonefly nymphs are known to occur in only 16 streams in Montana and Wyoming; 6 of which are in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness. They thrive in very cold-water sources originating from glaciers, small ice fields, permanent or seasonal snowpack, alpine springs and glacial lake outlets. Living in such extreme alpine environments, these stoneflies are sensitive to temperature changes.
See photos and distribution map of the Western Glacier Stonefly from Montana Field Guide.
Endangered Species Act Designations as of April 2026.
| Subspecies | Endangered Species Act Designation | Custer Gallatin National Forest Designation | Montana Designation |
| Western Glacier Stonefly | Threatened | Not designated | Species of Concern: S1 Critically Imperiled |
| Western Pearlshell | Not listed | Species of Conservation Concern | Species of Concern: S2 Imperiled |
| Western Toad | Not listed | Not designated | Species of Concern: S2 Imperiled |
| Great Plains Toad | Not listed | Not designated | Species of Concern: S3 Vulnerable |
| Iowa Darter | Not listed | Not designated | Species of Concern: S2 Imperiled |
| Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout (Yellowstone Cutthroat trout) | Not listed | Not designated | Species of Concern: S2 Imperiled |
| Westslope Cutthroat Trout | Not listed | Species of Conservation Concern | Species of Concern: S2 |
Helpful Resources
Custer Gallatin National Forest watershed staff are involved in an active information education program with the local schools and communities throughout the year. We work with a variety of towns, cities and schools--from small, one-room county schools to rapidly growing urban schools.
Classroom Presentations
Presentations are primarily focused on the issues of watershed health, the value of native fish species management, and how the productivity of aquatic environments are linked to the productivity of the land. Presentations also include stream table demonstrations, basic fish anatomy and identification, fisheries management techniques, and aquatic ecology. The overall purpose of these activities is to instill an interest in the topic of ecology and to get school aged children to start thinking about how the everyday activities of society affect watershed health, fish habitat, and the aquatic community.
Watershed Program Staff
Our Watershed Program consists of a highly skilled team of individuals with educational backgrounds in fisheries, hydrology, and soils. They are dedicated to improving and protecting the watersheds of the Custer Gallatin National Forest in order to support healthy communities, vibrant habitats, and world-class recreational opportunities.
Staff
Jake Chaffin - Watershed Program Manager, East Zone Fisheries Biologist
Jake Chaffin grew up in Oregon, spending time hunting and fishing on both the west and east side of the Cascade mountains developing a passion for learning about and conserving diverse landscapes. He eventually ended up at University of Montana where he completed a Bachelors degree in Wildlife and Fisheries. He then worked as a technician for a year+ on river ecology projects for the Flathead Lake Biological Station ranging from Glacier National Park to the Yakima River of central Washington. He returned to academics, completing a MS degree at Virginia Tech in stream ecology. His thesis examined the influence of an abandoned arsenic mine on stream biota and ecosystem process.
After graduate school Jake returned to the Flathead Lake Biological Station as a research scientist where he spent several years focused on primary research revolving around salmon and large river ecology in western Alaska, and a season in Kamchatka Russia. In 2009, Jake made a leap to the more applied field of multiple use management as a zoned fish biologist with the BLM in Miles City. He went on to the state office in Billings as the Fish, Wildlife, and T&E Program Lead for the Montana/Dakotas BLM. In 2016 Jake was able to move to Bozeman, being hired as the Watershed Program Manager for the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
In his current role Jake feels privileged to work with a talented and dedicated Custer Gallatin Watershed team, the extended Forest service team, and an excellent group of partners. Working on analysis, reports, and projects from the Northern Great Plains of South Dakota to the alpine streams and lakes of the Spanish Peaks is an exciting, complex, and great responsibility.
Outside of work, Jake loves spending time with his family and friends often on outdoor adventures.
Allison Stringer - West Zone Fisheries Biologist
Allison grew up in Missoula, Montana, where she developed a passion for aquatic systems. She followed this passion to Oregon State University where she studied Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Marine Biology, graduating in 2013. She returned to Montana to pursue her Master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife management from Montana State University while concurrently training with the Custer Gallatin National Forest as a Pathways Intern. After she completed her M.S. degree in 2018 she continued to train at the Bozeman Ranger District until she was placed as the West Zone Fisheries Biologist for the Custer Gallatin in 2019.
Before attending grad school and starting her career with the Forest Service, Allison worked seasonally across diverse ecosystems and employers. Her experience working for federal and state agencies, non-profits, various research programs, and private consulting firms broadened her understanding of natural resource management. Some of her memorable experiences include studying arctic climate change in Russia through an REU program, monitoring native fish species with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and studying the effects of invasive lionfish in the Bahamas with an Oregon State marine ecology lab. Allison is happy to have ended up working for the Forest Service and serving the public in Bozeman, Montana.
Outside of work, Allison loves to explore public lands with her trusty hound Kaiya. She likes to fill her free time rafting, fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking, and gardening.
Clint Sestrich - Absaroka Beartooth Zone Fisheries Biologist
Clint Sestrich is stationed in Livingston, MT as the fisheries biologist for the 1.7 million acre Absaroka Beartooth (AB) Zone which encompasses the Beartooth, Gardiner, and Yellowstone Ranger Districts. This geographic area includes the Boulder, Clarks Fork Yellowstone, Shields, Stillwater, and Yellowstone Rivers which drain the Beartooth, Crazy, Pryor and Gallatin Mountain Ranges. It also includes over 300 mountain lakes on the Beartooth plateau.
Clint manages the zone aquatics program with focal areas including native Yellowstone cutthroat trout restoration, process based stream restoration, and aquatic invasive species prevention. Livestock grazing, timber management, minerals extraction, and recreation are important public uses on the AB zone that Clint helps to support through aquatic resource input. Clint actively participates on the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Invasive Species Subcommittee, the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee Aquatic Invasive Species and Native Fish subcommittees, the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Interstate Working Group, and the National Recreation Fishing Team. These groups work collaboratively to prevent the introduction of invasive species, conserve native aquatic species, and promote recreational fishing on National Forest lands.
Clint values the privilege and responsibility that comes with managing the aquatic resources across such a vast and iconic landscape. He finds great satisfaction in working with partners to restore native Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations, protecting aquatic resources, and finding creative solutions to resource management issues. He believes strongly that conserving fish populations and habitats for future generations to enjoy requires that our youth appreciate and understand the value and function of healthy aquatic ecosystems on their public lands. To meet this need, he takes every opportunity to participate in youth education programs and events. These include coordinating kids fishing days and instructing programs on macroinvertebrate identification and ecology, effects of wildfire on aquatic ecosystems, aquatic invasive species prevention, and principles of stream function and restoration.
Clint received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Fish and Wildlife Management from Montana State University in 1998 and 2005, respectively. Clint has worked seasonally as a fisheries technician for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Fort Peck, Bozeman, Livingston, and Hamilton Montana. In 1999 Clint worked as the crew leader overseeing the operation of a salmon weir at a remote field camp on Kodiak Alaska. His graduate work investigated whether increased stream temperature and sediment from the 2000 Bitterroot wildfires favored nonnative brook trout over native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in in the Bitterroot River Basin, Montana. In 2004 Clint was hired by the Gallatin National Forest as a term Fisheries Mitigation Biologist in the Hebgen Basin and was admitted into the Forest Service Career Intern Program in 2007 (currently Pathways Program). Clint was subsequently placed as a fisheries biologist on the West Zone of the Kootenai National Forest in 2009. In 2011, Clint was selected for his current position as the Custer Gallatin National Forest AB Zone Fisheries Biologist.
In his spare time Clint enjoys camping and hiking with his wife, Jennifer and three kids Cameron, Sophie, and Carter. He especially enjoys hunting and fishing with the kids.
Bryce Hancock - Biological Science Information Specialist/ Water Rights
Bryce Hancock is a Biological Science Information Specialist and Water Rights Specialist for the Custer Gallatin National Forest with 19 years experience in fisheries, hydrology, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and data application development. Bryce grew up in Kalispell, Montana and received a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology from the University of Montana in May 2003. Bryce then worked seasonally as a fisheries technician for 10 years in Idaho, Colorado, Southeast Alaska, and Montana, and as a GIS Consultant for the Alternative Energy Industry, siting wind farms in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska. Bryce was hired full-time to Custer Gallatin as a Hydrology Technician and Water Rights Specialist in 2010 and as a Biological Science Information Specialist in 2018. Bryce has a passion for integrating technology with natural resource management and developing applications to manage natural resource information. In his spare time, Bryce enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and exploring the backcountry with his canine companions, Clyde and Zoe.
Erik Anderson - Soil Scientist
Erik Anderson is a Soil Scientist who started on the Custer Gallatin in July 2019. Growing up in Helena, Montana Erik gained an appreciation for the natural environment at an early age. These experiences inspired him to pursue a Bachelors Degree in Soil and Water Science at Montana State University, where he eventually followed up with a Masters Degree in Microbiology.
Aaron Page- Hydrologist
Aaron Page is a Hydrologist that is stationed in Billings, MT who came to the U.S. Forest Service with several years’ experience in the science fields. Prior to joining the U.S. Forest Service, he served in the US Navy as a Corpman with continued training as a Field Medical Technician and Medical Laboratory Technician, during which he competed an A.S. Degree in Health Science Laboratory Technology from George Washington University. Following the military, Aaron completed his B.S. degree at the University of Nebraska in Geology and Anthropology, minoring in Mathematics and Archaeology. After completing his B.S. degrees, he has worked in several government entities, including USGS, BoR, NPC, Nebraska State Department of Natural Resources, California EPA – CalRecycle and Montana State Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and private sectors (consulting) gaining experience in geology, hydrology, environmental science, and archaeology for compliance, investigation, monitoring, statical analysis, GIS, stream gaging, data interpretation, and reporting.
Aaron was born in Washington and grew up mainly in central Nebraska. Aaron enjoys many outdoor sports including hiking, kayaking, biking, and baseball. He also spends time working on his older vehicles, building Legos, and reading. Most of his time outside of work is spent with his wife, kids, and animals.
Vince Pacific on a cold, wintry day in Montana.
Vince Pacific - Hydrologist
Vince is a hydrologist based out of Bozeman, MT. He grew up in Virginia and attended James Madison University, where he developed a passion for the outdoors and environmental science. After graduating with a B.S. degree in Integrated Science and Technology, he worked for an environmental consulting firm but quickly realized he that consulting wouldn’t fulfill his career goals. He moved out west to Bozeman and attended Montana State University, where he earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in watershed hydrology, performing his research in the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest.
After graduating, he went on a dream adventure and hiked the entire 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail. He then began his Forest Service journey and spent 3 years working as a District Hydrologist on the Fremont-Winema National Forest in south-central Oregon, where he found a passion for stream and meadow restoration. With the desire to be closer to bigger mountains, he moved on to the Eldorado National Forest, where he spent 10 years working as a hydrologist on forest management projects in the Sierra Nevada Mountains while also designing and implementing larger-scale stream and meadow restoration projects. In 2023, he fulfilled his dream of moving back to Bozeman, where he is the West Zone Hydrologist on the Custer-Gallatin National Forest, working to protect and restore streams, wetlands, and meadows.
Outside of work, Vince enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Monica, and two dogs, Finnigan and Zoey. His favorite activities are downhill and backcountry skiing, backpacking, mountain and road biking, and exploring the mountains of Montana and beyond.
Neva Bentley canoeing at Yellowstone Lake.
Neva Bentley – Forestry Technician, Watershed
Neva is a permanent seasonal technician for the watershed program based in Bozeman. She grew up on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the heart of the Ottawa National Forest. Growing up with year-round opportunities to appreciate public lands inspired her to pursue a B.S. in environmental science at Michigan Technological University, graduating in 2018.
Before landing in Bozeman, Neva worked as a riparian botanist for the Bureau of Land Management for two seasons. Neva found home in Southwest Montana in 2020, working in both timber sale prep and silviculture for the Custer Gallatin, before transitioning into her current role.
As a technician for the watershed program, she greatly enjoys the variety of work including soil surveying, watershed mapping, and GIS analysis. She is also a trainee in the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program.
Outside of work, Neva enjoys mountain biking, canoeing, trail running, and fly fishing; as well as taking her cat on adventures.
Program Manager & East Zone Biologist
Jake Chaffin, 406-587-6734
Absaroka - Beartooth Zone Biologist
Clint Sestrich, 406-823-6067
West Zone Biologist (Hebgen and Bozeman districts)
Allison Stringer, 406-522-2544