Butte-Silver Bow approached Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) earlier this summer about providing more angling opportunities for the children of Butte. FWP answered the request and stocked approximately 200 Rainbow trout in the Copper Mountain pond. The pond, which is fed by Silver Lake water, serves as the irrigation pond for the park.
Montana FWP Fisheries Biologist, Caleb Uerling, determined that the pond was suitable for hosting trout and that the water maintains a cold enough temperature for the fish to survive. Uerling procured the Rainbow trout from the FWP hatchery at Jocko River near Arlee. Uerling has been monitoring the fish since they were transplanted into the Copper Mountain pond on Monday, and they appear to have quickly acclimated. The fish living in the pond are catch and release only.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and the work they have done to stock the fish in Copper Mountain pond,” said Dave Palmer. “With so many activities postponed, this will give the children of Butte another opportunity to get outside and enjoy their summer.”
In addition to Copper Mountain Park, Skyline Park is another location for children to fish. Skyline Park is stocked with West Slope Cutthroat trout from the FWP hatchery at Washoe Park. The two locations are an ideal way to allow for appropriate spacing between anglers.
Copper Mountain Park is located off Beef Trail Road. The pond is located at the south end of the park near the base of Timber Butte. Skyline Park is located on Bayard Street, off Continental Drive. Both parks are open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.
Montana FWP Upper Clark Fork Fisheries Biologist Caleb Uerling releases a net full of rainbow trout into the irrigation pond at Copper Mountain Park on Monday.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Biologists Doug Flemming, Jeff Lammerding and Caleb Uerling prepare to stock 200 rainbow trout into the irrigation pond at Copper Mountain Park on Monday July 13, 2020.