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Fish-killing parasite found in two more Montana rivers

A dead whitefish floats belly up near the Mayors Landing Fishing Access in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Mont. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimates the fish kill to be in the tens of thousands and issued a closure of all water-based recreation on the Yellowstone from the Yellowstone National Park’s northern boundary to Laurel, according to a press release. FWP lab results reveal the catalyst of the kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease. one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. (Hunter D’Antuono / Associated Press)
A dead whitefish floats belly up near the Mayors Landing Fishing Access in the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Mont. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks estimates the fish kill to be in the tens of thousands and issued a closure of all water-based recreation on the Yellowstone from the Yellowstone National Park’s northern boundary to Laurel, according to a press release. FWP lab results reveal the catalyst of the kill to be Proliferative Kidney Disease. one of the most serious diseases to impact whitefish and trout. (Hunter D’Antuono / Associated Press)

FISHING – A parasite that caused a major die-off of mountain whitefish in the Yellowstone River has been discovered in two more southwestern Montana streams.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks said today that the parasite was detected in the Big Hole River near Wise River in January and in the Gallatin River near Three Forks last year.

That brings the number of Montana rivers where it’s been found to 10.

Known as PKX, the parasite was blamed in the deaths of tens of thousands of whitefish in the Yellowstone last summer, prompting a weeks-long closure of the popular river and tributaries totaling 183 miles.

It’s also been found in the Jefferson, Madison, East Gallatin, Shields, Boulder, Stillwater and Big Horn rivers. Only the Yellowstone had a documented fish kill.

Monitoring for PKX in other Montana streams is planned for the spring and summer.

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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