Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has issued a consumption advisory for fish caught in the area of a July 1 oil spill in the Yellowstone River.
People who have caught fish in the river between Buffalo Mirage fishing access site near Park City and the confluence with the Bighorn River near Custer should be cautious about consuming them.
Fishing in that stretch of the river has been negligible since late spring because of high runoff levels and flooding. Most FWP fishing access sites in that stretch of river have been closed for several months by flooding.
FWP asked boaters to stay off of the river between the Laurel and Lockwood highway bridges to accommodate oil spill cleanup.
Recently, FWP biologists started capturing fish below the oil spill site and sending them to a laboratory for testing. Test results should be returned in the next two weeks and FWP will publish the data so fishermen can determine whether their catch is suitable for consumption.
Crude oil spilled into the river near Laurel July 1 when a pipeline feeding the ExxonMobil refinery in Lockwood broke.
People with additional questions about the oil spill may call the governor’s information line at 406-657-0231, go to the information office at 424 Morey Street in Billings or visit www.yellowstoneriveroilspill.mt.gov
source Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks