Montana Trout Unlimited
Montana Trout Unlimited conserves, protects and restores Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.
ACTION ALERT: SHEEP CREEK MINE WATCH
Montana Trout Unlimited has long advocated for the Bitterroot River’s prized fishery, and for responsible mining. A recent proposal for a rare earths mine near the West Fork of the Bitterroot River has drawn increasing scrutiny from local residents and clean water advocates. This area is home to Westslope cutthroat and bull trout and sits at the headwaters of one of the state’s most popular wild trout fisheries.
MTU is adamant that this precious resource must be protected and the Forest Service and the mining company must take close hard look before risking water quality. This is not the place to fast-track a mine without sound environmental planning and an opportunity for robust public engagement.
Join our Sheep Creek Mine Action Alert list to stay informed and ready for future opportunities to make your voice heard.
Who We Are
Founded in 1964, Montana Trout Unlimited is the only statewide grassroots organization dedicated solely to conserving and restoring coldwater fisheries. Montana Trout Unlimited is comprised of 13 chapters representing approximately 4,500 Trout Unlimited members.
Montana Trout Unlimited is governed by volunteer directors from each of the state’s local TU chapters. It is financially independent of TU National and contributions to Montana Trout Unlimited are tax-deductible and support conservation, protection and restoration efforts in Montana.
Our Work
Montana Trout Unlimited conserves, protects, and restores Montana’s cold water fisheries and watersheds. We fight for clean, cold water at the local, state, and federal level by supporting trout-friendly policy. We help Mother Nature by restoring and remedying past wrongs and protecting and recovering native species. We help educate the current and next generation of conservation-minded anglers and seek to build alliances with other groups seeking to protect Montana’s most vital resource.
Chapters & Resources
Volunteer chapters are the key to Montana Trout Unlimited’s commitment to Montana’s coldwater fisheries and intact trout habitat. Across the state, our 13 local chapters further MTU’s mission by advocating for wild trout-friendly policies at the local, state, and federal level, volunteering for boots-on-the-ground restoration and citizen science projects, teaching the next generation of conservation-minded anglers, and so much more. Find out more about your local chapter. If you’re already a board member, locate resources to make your work easier.
Latest Blog Posts
Check out the latest news from Montana Trout Unlimited.
Learn more about our staff and other committee members.
Featured Projects
From education and outreach to advocacy and stream restoration, our work is multifaceted and mission focused. Learn more about some of our current projects here.
In the News
Our work isn’t just important for anglers. Clean water and healthy ecosystems benefit everyone. Check out these recent stories of our projects in the media:
- Montana Water: A Supply in Demand, Mountain Journal, Dec. 12, 2025
- New bill would boost MT ecosystem restoration, Yellowstone Public Radio, Dec. 4, 2025
- Legislative water law changes support collaboration to restore fisheries, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Nov. 7, 2025
- New law lets Montanans lease water rights short-term, aiming to ease shortages, KTVQ Billings, Oct. 16, 2025
- Stream of consciousness: Middle Fork Judith River restoration project paying dividends, KULR Billings, Oct. 10, 2025
- Lolo Creek stream restoration seeks to re-create historic floodplain, Missoulian, Sept. 27, 2025
- Legislative water law changes support working together to restore our fisheries, Montana Standard, Sept. 23, 2025
- Clayton Elliott: Transformational Investments in Montana’s Water Storage, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Sept 12, 2025
- A Stark Varg, Two Fly Rods, and Three Days in Montana’s Backcountry, Ride Apart, July 25, 2025
- Gov. Gianforte Announces Agreement To Improve Instream Flows in Clark Fork River, Montana Governor, July 9, 2025
- Why Trout Move: Understanding Freshwater Migrations, Sports Illustrated, May 19, 2025
- Fines for aquatic invasive species violations increase under new law, Daily Montanan, May 14, 2025
- Yellowstone cutthroat habitat in Paradise Valley creek mended, Billings Gazette, April 25, 2025
- Groups push for dam removal, Boulder Monitor, March 25, 2025
- Bill would increase private fish pond license fees to $600, Billings Gazette, Jan. 20, 2025
- The twain shall meet: Good for trout, good for irrigators, Montana Standard, Jan. 15, 2025
- DEQ water quality studies lay groundwork for Smith River restoration, Billings Gazette, Dec. 26, 2024
- Daines’ bipartisan bill seeks reauthorization of fund to address national park maintenance backlog, Daily Montanan, Nov. 22, 2024
- As Montana Adopts New Fishing Regulations, Wild Trout Rise Up as Conservation Priority, Flathead Beacon, Nov. 14, 2025
- Job Corps students help out on North Burnt Fork Creek restoration, Bitterroot Star, Nov. 5, 2024
- Committee wrestles with change to fish pond permit regulations, Billings Gazette, Sept. 16, 2024
- Aid for ‘the forgotten fork’: Jefferson River project will add cold water, help protect spawning habitat, Montana Standard, Aug. 30, 2024
- Tour of June 2022 flood damage emphasizes ‘woody material,’ partnerships, past mistakes, Billings Gazette, Jul 16, 2024.
- Hecla ‘bad actor’ lawsuit dismissed, coalition vows to keep fighting mine, Daily Montanan, Jul. 15, 2024
- Jefferson River Basin Increases Capacity, Thanks to JRWC and MTU, Whitehall Ledger, Jul. 10, 2024
- Data raises questions about health of Clark Fork fishery, Missoula Current, May 19, 2024
- FWP reconsiders gill-netting lake trout in Swan Lake, Missoula Current, Feb. 21, 2024
- Agency says notching beaver dams could help grayling, Montana Standard, Feb. 5, 2024
- Federal grant to help preserve fish, floating on Clark Fork River, KPAX/Missoula Current, Jan. 8, 2024
For a complete list of past media stories about Montana TU, visit our In the News archive HERE.
Support our work! Get the original Montana Trout Plate by Monte Dolack!
Ask for the Montana Council of Trout Unlimited plate at your county treasurer’s office when you purchase a new vehicle or renew your registration.
Contact Us
We’re happy to answer your questions about our work or anything else trout related.
Drop us a line here!