EBS STAFF
The Upper Shields River drainage in the Crazy Mountains, east of Wilsall and north of Livingston in Park and Meagher Counties will be closed to all public entry, Custer Gallatin National Forest announced in a July 29 social media post. The closure is due to the Upper Shields Yellowstone cutthroat trout restoration project, taking place along the Yellowstone Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
During this time, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will be treating water with the fish toxicant rotenone to remove nonnative brook trout from about 30 stream miles upstream from the Shields Campground fish barrier.
“Because brook trout outcompete cutthroat trout for food and space, their removal is an essential action for the long-term conservation of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the upper Shields River drainage,” CGNF explained in the closure order.
Now through Aug. 10, no entry of any kind is permitted.
