In the ’90s, whirling disease devastated trout populations in Montana, leading to a 95% decline in rainbow trout. The outbreak sparked concern among biologists, anger in tourist towns, and even inspired a murder mystery novel. The current status of whirling disease and other threats to trout was recently explored in an episode of The Big Why, a series by Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio. The episode addressed listener questions about Montana’s trout health, with a focus on whirling disease. It was revealed that while the disease is still present in Montana’s waterways, trout populations have developed resistance over the years. The episode also touched on other threats to trout, such as high temperatures and low flows, which can stress the fish. Overall, the investigation shed light on the resilience of Montana’s trout populations in the face of various challenges, setting the stage for potential future mysteries to solve in the world of trout health.
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