The list is based on surveys at Hideaway Islands The possession limit for all fish caught in Banff, Yoho or Kootenay National Parks is now zero. The Kootenai River is the only waterbody in Idaho where burbot are native. The Service came back with a proposal to designate 11.2 miles of already-protected river miles as critical habitat — an area with a sandy bottom, which is a deathtrap for sturgeon eggs. The odds of catching these fish on a dainty dry fly, however, are very slim. WORLD CLASS RAINBOW TROUT FISHING. During the The Kootenai River basin and surrounding national forest offers miles of small stream opportunities. ..... 15 Figure 11. SAVING THE KOOTENAI RIVER WHITE STURGEON. In fact, some of the biggest fish ever pulled out of a Montana river have come from the waters of the Kootenai, and there are tons of opportunities to catch prize-calibur rainbow trout here. 1995, McKinney et al. More information Activities and info: Bonners Ferry … Borderlands and Boundary Waters us ABSTRACT In kokanee salmon, eggs were found in two fish from only site KR13 (Kootenai River below Libby Dam) and ranged from 4.17 to 5.01 mg/kg selenium as dry weight (dw). these native fish stocks and local wildlife is the primary impetus for the Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Project. Providing a truly uncrowded setting the Kootenai River maintains a high quality trout fishery. chin and has two forward-slanting, dark bands on both sides of its body under IDFG Says Kootenai River Burbot Harvest This Year Appears Similar To Last Year When Opened First Time In 25 Years March 12, 2020 . The Service came back with a proposal to designate 11.2 miles of already-protected river miles as critical habitat — an area with a sandy bottom, which is a deathtrap for sturgeon eggs. The Kootenai River originates in Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, enormous sizes feeding on the abundant runs of salmon, steelhead, pacific Dam, Montana, downstream through Kootenay Lake to Corra Linn Dam at the outflow Trout weren't biting so I decided to save a 100,000 fish and catch a few of these largescale suckers this one was 18" and 3 pounds and man do they fight ...more hard!! Interviews performed by: ... Did you ever fish for other species than ling? Date Agreement Signed : 06/05/2005: Date Agreement Withdrawn : Date Agreement Expired --- Area Description Information. that population abundance declines by about half every 7.4 years. I fished the river for trout, whitefish. bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, Kamloops rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon). This is a Step 1 review in the Council’s Three Step Review Process. Rainbow trout up to 33 pounds have been taken on the river. Results A total of 142 fish representing 13 species were retained for tissue analysis. The Kootenai Tribe has built a newly opened hatcher at Twin Rivers in the effort to restore these rare fish. Kootenai River White Sturgeon and Burbot Hatcheries Project (DOE/EA-1901) (formerly Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Native Fish Aquaculture Program) Boundary County, Idaho. last 14 years of intensive monitoring (using techniques proven suitable The true monster rainbow trout of the Kootenai River, or those fish reserved for space next to the fireplace, are typically located just downstream from Libby Dam. Kootenai River. White sturgeon and burbot have not successfully spawned in the Kootenai River since the completion of Libby Dam upstream in Montana. pounds were caught by anglers. 1988, Binn et al. Kootenai River in Libby Montana. In Canada, these include those listed below as well as many others. It is unlawful to kill, harm, or harass endangered species. Average biomass per unit of effort (BPUE) for all combined species sampled at Kootenai River biomonitoring sites pretreatment and - post Diagnostic fish species include members of the upper Columbia, Large Valley Intermontane River Community. Since the late 1800s the Kootenai River in Montana and Idaho, USA and British Columbia, Canada has undergone many anthropogenic changes (Northcote 1973, Daily et al. Kootenai Falls is a waterfall on the Kootenay River located in Lincoln County, Montana, just off U.S. Route 2.It is the largest undammed waterfall in the state and one of the largest waterfalls in the United States by flow rate.The falls is accessed by a foot trail from the parking area next to the highway. Also in 2008, after almost six years of litigation, the Center, the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and state and federal officials reached a landmark agreement to manage Libby Dam's flows to help sturgeon reproduce, keep them reproducing, and protect other Kootenai River fish at the same time. population of Kootenai sturgeon. their small eyes are adapted for the dark, deep pools where they live. The slimy sculpin, Cottus cognatus, is a freshwater species of fish The Kootenai River supports populations of westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, Kokanee salmon, and rainbow trout, among other species. These ecological systems are 7th stream order and larger (>200 river miles) cold-water rivers that have a low to moderate gradient with elevations below 1000m. elsewhere) only one hatching embryo has been found and no free-swimming larvae Since the Idaho Fish and Game Commission reopened the fishery in 2019, the angling community is collectively relearning how to hook up on burbot. Pollution from British Columbia coal mining operations is making its way into Montana and Idaho’s Kootenai River. Lake Koocanusa contains trout as well as kokanee salmon. live-bearing fish, is dull grey or brown in color with no bars of bands on the The Kootenai River is the only waterbody in Idaho where burbot are native. Kootenai River Native Fish Conservation Aquaculture Master Plan Prepared by Kootenai Tribe of Idaho Funded by Bonneville Power Administration through Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program . The Kootenai River white sturgeon is 1 of 18 Mid-February to mid-March often hosts the highest numbers of adult burbot in Idaho, and it’s the best time for anglers to go after them. Pollution From Canadian Mines Found In Kootenai River Fish. Specifically,it is designed to aid the recovery of important fish stocks, i.e. Pollution From Canadian Mines Found In Kootenai River Fish. torrent sculpin is gray-brown with black speckling and has a heavily mottled white sturgeon, burbot, bull trout, kokanee and several other salmonids important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho and regional sport-fisheries. Otters and waterfowl can be found dining on pumpkinseed, yellow perch or bullhead in the wetlands. Kootenai River, Idaho..... 63 Appendix C. Average fish species catch rate (fish/h) shown at individual sites by year. Get the latest on our work for biodiversity and learn how to help in our free weekly e-newsletter. This is partly due The Kootenai is home to fish species such as white sturgeon, burbot, whitefish, rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout. Brown bullhead and burbot (ling cod) are present on and around the refuge. I presently have taken over 385 species from over 60 countries! Torpedo-shaped bodies help them swim effortlessly in brisk river currents, and sides, and has a rounded tail. 2008 Critical habitat expansion 2005 and there may be fewer than 50 remaining by 2030. Shop. But the longevity of the sturgeon in the Kootenai River is waning: It hasn't reproduced in real numbers in at least 30 years due to habitat change caused by Libby Dam, which shut its gates in 1975. Kootenai river fishing can be varied throughout the year but we certainly consider Montana’s Kootenai River essentially a classic dry fly fishery. In 2003, we sued the Service to force it to designate more appropriate critical habitat. Adult burbot primarily inhabit deep lakes or cool rivers or reservoirs in the southern edges of their range year. U.S.FWS Species profile about species listing status, federal register publications, recovery, critical habitat, conservation planning, petitions, and life history U.S. Isolated in the northwest corner of Montana the Kootenai River lies off the beaten path of the more traveled, popular “big name” rivers of Montana. There was a steady drizzle making it hard to get up from bed. Many national, provincial and state parks, wilderness preserves, protected areas and national forests lie partially or wholly within the Kootenay River watershed. Spawning is generally high synchronized over a short 2–3 week time period when water temperatures are low (1–3 C [34–39 F]). Kokanee, Mountain Whitefish, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Book Trout, and Bull Trout can be found swimming around the creeks that pass through the refuge. Burbot primarily feed at night, with fry feeding on zooplankton and small aquatic invertebrates. land-locked populations of white sturgeon known to occur in western North One of our country’s wildest rivers, the Kootenai River provides critical habitat for several rare and threatened native fish species, as well as wildlife like grizzly bear and woodland caribou. They feed primarily on zooplankton and invertebrate prey at the top of the water Linear regression of Kootenai River discharge at Leonia and crustacean densities from June 2002 through September 2007. Two species of sculpin may be found in the waters on the refuge, Slimpy and Torrent Sculpin. The semi–buoyant eggs may drift but eventually settle into the substrate. There is one exception: the daily possession limit for lake trout caught in the Lake Minnewanka Reservoir remains at two (2) fish per licensed angler. Wetland and Riparian Plant Species of the Kootenai River Valley Compiled by Mabel Jankovsky-Jones Idaho Department of Fish and Game Conservation Data Center This list of plant species was compiled based on survey work by Jankovsky-Jones (1996), Bursik (1994), and Brunsfield and Johnson (1985). The slimy sculpin is a nocturnal fish that usually spends most of ... - Kootenai River. Some of you can remember when this was the case for the Kootenai River. Kootenai River extending from Kootenai Falls, Montana, located 31 RM below Libby With steady flows and temperatures from Libby Dam throughout the season, hatches of pmd mayflies and caddis are predictable and always have fish looking up. current mortality rate of 9 percent per year, fewer than 500 adults remained in Changes in the Species Composition of the Fish Community in a Reach of the Kootenai River, Idaho, after Construction of Libby Dam Vaughn L. Paragamian Idaho Department of Fish and Game 2750 Kathleen Avenue Coeur d' Alene, ID 83815 USA E-mail: vparagam Qidfg.state.id. The preferred substrate is fine gravel, sand or silt. When it swims, it sometimes appears to be “hopping” Kootenai River anglers last year hooked fish up to 35 inches and 13 1/2 pounds, according to Fish and Game. play roles in altering the fish species composition and life history characteristics (Benenati et al. They can live to be over 100 years old! Kootenai River Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. 1998, Bain et al. Estimates show that annually an average Like most ... My ultimate goal is to catch as many species of fish on fly possible from freshwater to saltwater, throughout the world. This Providing a truly uncrowded setting the Kootenai River maintains a high quality trout fishery. Other iconic Kootenai River species, including white sturgeon, saw their populations drop during the same period as cascade effects from the dam spread throughout the river’s ecosystem. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare critical habitat for the fish. To fish in Montana, most anglers need two licenses: a Conservation License and a Fishing License. approximately 7,000 white sturgeon in the late 1970s to 760 fish in 2000. Since the water impoundments are all interconnected and the main source of water intake to manage our wetlands comes from the Kootenai River, it's possible to have several species of fish enter the waters on the refuge. We like to fish our small streams with 2-4 weight rods. The status of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed Kootenai … They are also known as ling, lawyers, leopards and eelpout. They The slimy sculpin is Current population estimates of burbot entering Idaho in the fall and winter average <25/year. In kokanee salmon, eggs were found in two fish from only site KR13 (Kootenai River below Libby Dam) and ranged from 4.17 to 5.01 mg/kg selenium as dry weight (dw). Fishing for or targeting sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal Tiger Muskie Trout includes Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Splake, Arctic Grayling, trout hybrids (… Imagine yourself fishing in a river where every cast you threw out produced a rise from a hungry trout. Kootenai River/Kootenay Lake Burbot Conservation Strategy . It is also one of the largest rivers in the area, beginning in British Columbia and flowing for 485 miles through western Montana and northern Idaho before turning north again and returning to Canada. The Kootenai Tribe has built a newly opened hatcher at Twin Rivers in the effort to restore these rare fish. to the absence of a swim bladder, which normally gives buoyancy to a fish. White sturgeon are found from California to Alaska, and their inland populations, like the Kootenai River population, are landlocked. It is also one of the largest rivers in the area, beginning in British Columbia and flowing for 485 miles through western Montana and northern Idaho before turning north again and returning to Canada. The Kootenai River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river.The Tribe has undertaken a large-scale restoration project and needs objective information on which to base restoration decisions. The remaining wild population is declining by about 9% per year as fish die naturally and are not replaced. rounded pectoral fins, a large, flattened head with dorsal eyes, and a body and Native Cutthroat and Bull Trout also abound. These tributaries are primarily freestone and full of wild and native rainbows, westlope cutthroats, and brook trout averging 8 to 10 inches. Rainbow trout up to 33 pounds have been taken on the river. Species present on the refuge include Lake Chub, Peamouth, Northern Squawfish, Longnose Dace, Redside Shiner, Longnose and Largescale Sucker. Learn More. largest, freshwater fish in North America. The dam has reduced spring peak flows by more than 50 percent and increased winter flows by nearly 300 percent — a regime that's forcing fish to spawn over areas with a sandy bottom, where their eggs become encased in sand and drift downriver to die. the soft, posterior portion of the dorsal fin. lamprey, and freshwater mussels. The Endangered Species Act Eggs are broadcast above the substrate. Kootenai River Subbasin •9 million acres •2 Countries •2 States, 1 Province •Multiple jurisdictions •Multiple endangered species. Without better management, the species could be extinct in 20 years. The Center won the suit for more critical habitat, and the Service published an interim rule protecting an additional area — with good sturgeon spawning habitat — in 2006, finalizing the rule in 2008. Fishing: The Kootenai is notable for two fisheries of rare species, the white sturgeon and native Kootenai River burbot. As adults more than 80% of their diet is likely to be fish. Rust was tracking a relic, a Kootenai River white sturgeon, a fish some joke may be more closely related to triceratops than trout. its time on the stream bottom and seeks shelter under rocks and logs, especially Fishing: The Kootenai is notable for two fisheries of rare species, the white sturgeon and native Kootenai River burbot. Eggs were obtained from two species, kokanee salmon and mountain whitefish. The striking cinnamon colored head and light-blue wing patch make this dabbling duck a delight to see. KEY DOCUMENTS Pollution From Canadian Mines Found In Kootenai River Fish . For game fishermen, though the river provides good cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing as well as mountain whitefish and other species. Finally, the Neese boys came out and flung rods for the first time and got ‘em good. At the In rivers, burbot spawn in low velocity areas in main channels or inside channels behind deposition bars. reside in the Snake, lower Salmon, and Kootenai Rivers of Idaho. Figure 10. In Myrtle Creek anglers may find cutthroat, rainbow, brook or bull trout. cottids, the torrent sculpin is a benthic species characterized by large, However, the river is threatened by runoff and waste from current mining and proposed expansions of five open-pit coal mines along the Elk River in British Columbia, a tributary to the Kootenai. The Kootenai River population of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) (Kootenai sturgeon) ... Flow augmentation should be balanced with reservoir management to protect important fish species above the dam and elsewhere in the Kootenai River system and its tributaries (e.g. Valley back into British Columbia, where it flows through Kootenay Lake and @article{osti_962421, title = {Kootenai River Resident Fish Assessment, FY2008 KTOI Progress Report. While waterflows can be an issue on other rivers during hot summer months, a steady supply from Lake Koocanusa keeps the local fish population of the Kootenai happy and cool. or young-of-the-year have been captured. As they grow, their diet changes to include fish. In 1999, five years after the sturgeon was designated as an endangered species, the Center filed suit to get the U.S. Originating from British Columbia’s glaciers, the river flows through a rugged landscape of mountain and valleys. At the Council’s August 14, 2009 request, attached is the ISRP’s preliminary review of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho’s Master Plan for the Kootenai River Native Fish Conservation Aquaculture Program. Although small in size, Kootenai NWR has 22 species of fish that inhabit its waters. River, and they spend part of their life in Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. A Giant from the Kootenai River 18 April, 2020 Categories: giant trout. this restricted portion of the Kootenai River system to spawn in the Kootenai Contact: Noah Greenwald, Search our newsroom for the Kootenai River white sturgeon. Fish. Kootenai came down to summer flows on the 20th of July and has been treating everybody very nice. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System Mosquitofish is a small, Upper Columbia River Fish And Wildlife Office Status: C Involved Agency: USFWS: Date Information. In 1999, five years after the sturgeon was designated as an endangered species, the Center filed suit to get the U.S. 1994 Endangered Species Act listing, MEDIA MIGRATION: Kootenai River white sturgeon have historically migrated freely in the Kootenai River, but their upstream migration to spawn has been virtually halted by the effects of Libby Dam. Fish and Wildlife Service to declare critical habitat for the fish. For game fishermen, though the river provides good cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing as well as mountain whitefish and other species. The Kootenai River supports populations of westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, Kokanee salmon, and rainbow trout, among other species. flows south into Montana, northwest into Idaho, then north through the Kootenai of 10 juvenile sturgeon are naturally reproduced in the Kootenai River. Montana's record small mouth bass was caught on a Kootenai National Forest lake. Kootenai River. White sturgeon also inhabit the river below Kootenai Falls. Both native and non-native fish inhabit the waters surrounding the refuge. Ecological Section Species Range 0 20 40 80 Kilometers 0 20 40 80 iles White Sturgeon (Kootenai River system) Acipenser transmontanus KOOTENAI RIVER FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS: SALMONID STUDIES . mouth pointed upward for surface feeding. Other iconic Kootenai River species, including white sturgeon, saw their populations drop during the same period as cascade effects from the dam spread throughout the river’s ecosystem. 1981, Anonymous 1996). whiskers help them identify food items in the dark water, and their suction-tube The Search our newsroom for the Kootenai River white sturgeon, RELATED ISSUES In fact, some of the biggest fish ever pulled out of a Montana river have come from the waters of the Kootenai, and there are tons of opportunities to catch prize-calibur rainbow trout here. Instead, massive streamers—up to five inches long—are the flies of choice when chasing these trophy trout. Burbot are the only freshwater cod species in North America. 2001). In Idaho, burbot are only found in the Kootenai River drainage. Adjacent to the refuge runs the Kootenai River which is home to the endangered white sturgeon and the threatened burbot. America and eastern Siberia. They are Kootenai River White Sturgeon The Kootenai River population of the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) was listed as endangered on September 6th, 1994. 2005). mouths easily vacuum up whatever food they come across. The Kootenai River is Montana’s largest tailwater fishery with over half its drainage located in British Columbia and is also a major tributary of the Columbia River. Kootenai River Ecosystem EA 1 1.0 Purpose and Need for Action 1.1 Need for Action The Bonneville Power Administration, under provisions of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 (Act) 1, is obligated to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats affected by the construction and Isolated in the northwest corner of Montana the Kootenai River lies off the beaten path of the more traveled, popular “big name” rivers of Montana. Kootenai River Ecosystem EA 1 1.0 Purpose and Need for Action 1.1 Need for Action The Bonneville Power Administration, under provisions of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980 (Act) 1, is obligated to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats affected by the construction and consists of an aging cohort of large, old fish. Since the time of the dinosaurs, about 70 million years ago, sturgeons have remained essentially unchanged — large, impressive fish that can live to be 100. Kootenai sturgeon occur in Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia, The Kootenai contains a native strain of rainbow trout, called Columbia Redbands and with 1500-2500 trout per mile there are plenty of fish that come to your fly. along the bottom because of its inefficient ability to swim. sidered the largest freshwater fish species in North America, currently inhabiting major river systems along the West Coast from the Sacramento River, California (USA), to the Fraser River, British Colum- bia (Canada). The population has declined from Approximately 45 percent of the species’ The torrent sculpin(Cottus rhotheus) is a freshwater sculpin. Libby Dam, completed in 1972, altered This scene is played out on many rivers in Idaho, and in this case, it’s the North Idaho’s Kootenai River, a gem of a stream that’s gotten a boost in recent years and is producing its best trout fishing in years thanks to a partnership between Idaho Fish and Game and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho. These fish grew to LISTED: Federal Register; September 6, 1990. This population was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) on September 6, 1994 (59 FR 45989)due to the ongoing lack of juvenile recruitment to the population since the 1960s (Figure 1). Press releases America. Its body is short, its head flattened, and its Rivers Burbot are the only freshwater cod species in North America and the Kootenai River is the only place in Idaho with a native burbot population. Historically, sturgeon up to 1,500 joins the Columbia River at Castlegar, British Columbia. Current data indicate that inhabits cool, rocky streams, rivers and lakes throughout northern North Although burbot can spawn in lakes and rivers, the population entering Idaho is primarily a spawning population from Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, which leaves the lake in the late fall and early winter to spawn in the Kootenai River or tributary streams in Idaho. By Tristan Scott // Apr 19, 2016 The Kootenai River population of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) (Kootenai sturgeon) has been declining during at least the past 50 years (Figure 1; Paragamian et al. The wild population now The Idaho Department of Fish and Game installed a fixed PIT antenna on Deep Creek, a tributary of the Kootenai River, to evaluate movement of juvenile Burbot to the Kootenai River. Many Kootenai sturgeon migrate within This study was conducted on the Kootenai River, Idaho to provide insight on sampling requirements to optimize future monitoring effort associated with the response of fish assemblages to habitat rehabilitation. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study found high levels of selenium in mountain whitefish eggs and that could be impacting the species’ reproduction. }, author = {Holderman, Charles}, abstractNote = {The overarching goal of project 1994-049-00 is to recover a productive, healthy and biologically diverse Kootenai River ecosystem, with emphasis on native fish species rehabilitation. Kokanee, Mountain Whitefish, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Book Trout, and Bull Trout can be found swimming around the creeks that pass through the refuge. Kootenai River 2005 to rebuild fisheries by increasing primary production.in Lake Koocanusa, the reservoir created by Libby Dam in Montana, acts as a nutrient sink retaining approximately 63% of total phosphorus (P) and 25% of total nitrogen (N). It was classic spring morning here on the banks of the Kootenai River in Libby, Montana. range is located within British Columbia. column. MIGRATION: Kootenai River white sturgeon have historically migrated freely in the Kootenai River, but their upstream migration to spawn has been virtually halted by the effects of Libby Dam. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the project is to aid in the restoration and conservation of Kootenai River white sturgeon listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Since the time of the dinosaurs, about 70 million years ago, sturgeons have remained essentially unchanged — large, impressive fish that can live to be 100. from Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. suggests high levels of mortality which are unlikely to sustain the historic A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study found high levels of selenium in mountain whitefish eggs and that could be impacting the species’ reproduction. Details: Other Freshwater with a worms eggs and bread. Species present on the refuge include Pumpkinseed, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Eggs were obtained from two species, kokanee salmon and mountain whitefish. The Kootenai River is considered a blue-ribbon trout fising river. The Kootenai River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and other native fish species are culturally important to the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, but their habitat and recruitment have been affected by anthropogenic changes to the river. Rainbow trout up to 33 pounds have been caught on this blue ribbon river, yet you might see one boat on its busiest day. BREEDING: These fish have specific requirements for water temperature and substrate when laying eggs, and any alteration may make reproduction impossible. Canada, and are restricted to approximately 167.7 River Mile (RM) of the type bottoms. during spawning season. found in freshwater and sometimes brackish water in areas with rocky or gravel Kootenai River Habitat Restoration Project Master ... presents project history and context, and describes the relationship of this project to other fish and wildlife projects in the Kootenai subbasin. White sturgeon also inhabit the river below Kootenai Falls. Pollution from British Columbia coal mining operations is making its way into Montana and Idaho’s Kootenai River. White sturgeon are found from California to Alaska, and their inland populations, like the Kootenai River population, are landlocked. Results A total of 142 fish representing 13 species were retained for tissue analysis. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the historical and existing conditions in the Kootenai subbasin, river and floodplain stewardship implications for the river corridor, the characteristics of the river reaches in the project area and the factors that limit habitat for focal aquatic species and other species … Freshwater sculpin cod ) are the only freshwater cod species in North America done that years... Mines found in freshwater and sometimes brackish water in areas with rocky or gravel type bottoms work for biodiversity learn! Forest lake full of wild and native Kootenai River which is home to the refuge are only found in River... Is dammed 16 miles North of Libby, Montana endangered on September 6th 1994... Species such as white sturgeon, burbot, bull trout to kootenai river fish species in western North America all a. 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