Brown trout introduced to the Firehole River (1890)

In 1890, brown trout were introduced to the upper Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This stocking occurred during a period of expanding brown trout introductions in the United States. The event established a fishery that became highly successful for anglers, contributing to the river's current status as a destination for wild trout populations.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. The Firehole River is a major tributary of the Madison River in northwestern Wyoming, flowing through Yellowstone National Park. By the late 19th century, the park was a popular destination for fishermen. Brown trout, a species endemic to Europe and widely introduced globally as a game fish, were being stocked in various US habitats between 1884 and 1890.

Introduction to the Firehole. Brown trout were first stocked in the upper Firehole River in 1890. This introduction followed the earlier stocking of brook trout in 1889. The event is noted as particularly successful from an angling perspective, creating new opportunities in the American West. Today, brown trout are the most plentiful trout in the river.

Legacy. The 1890 introduction contributed to self-sustaining fisheries in the US. Although stocking programs in the park were discontinued in 1955, the brown trout population in the Firehole River persists as a wild population. The river remains a significant location for fly fishing, designated as such by the National Park Service in 1968.

People involved

Sources

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