Biologist Seek Answers To Fish Kill

Biologists will continue testing fish from additional areas of Montana to determine the extent of a disease blamed in a massive fish kill along the Yellowstone River.  The state closed a 183-mile stretch of the river to all recreational activities on Friday after thousands of dead fish washed up along the river’s banks in the Paradise Valley area north of Yellowstone National Park.
Biologists are trying to determine if a parasite that’s blamed for the deaths has infected fish further downstream and in several major tributaries.  Those tributaries were closed under the order from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  Crews will be collecting fish throughout the week on the Yellowstone downstream of Springdale and on three tributaries — the Shields, Boulder and Stillwater rivers.
The closure during the busy summer season dealt a major blow to fishing guides, fly shops, rafting companies and others who work in the outdoors industry.