Trout Creek, Montana

Trout Creek, Montana
CDP
Nickname:  "Huckleberry Capital of Montana"
Location of Trout Creek, Montana
Coordinates: 47°49′51″N115°35′39″W / 47.83083°N 115.59417°W / 47.83083; -115.59417
Country	United States
State	Montana
County	Sanders
Area [1]
• Total	2.63 sq mi (6.81 km2)
• Land	1.84 sq mi (4.77 km2)
• Water	0.79 sq mi (2.04 km2)
Elevation [2]	2,366 ft (721 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	277
• Density	150.30/sq mi (58.02/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	59874
Area code	406
FIPS code	30-74950
GNIS feature ID	0792392 [2]

Trout Creek is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 261 at the 2000 census. Population increased to 277 per the United States Census [2020] Trout Creek was proclaimed "Huckleberry Capital of Montana" by the state's legislature in 1981.

The post office opened in 1885. In 1910, the townsite was moved downstream to the opposite side of the creek. ^[3] The town experienced an economic boost with construction of the Noxon Rapids Dam (1955–56).

Geography

Trout Creek is located at 47°49′51″N115°35′39″W / 47.83083°N 115.59417°W / 47.83083; -115.59417 (47.830737, -115.594221). ^[4]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), all land.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes extremely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Trout Creek has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. ^[5]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Trout Creek has a warm-summer mediterranean continental climate, abbreviated "Dsb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Trout Creek was 110 °F (43.3 °C) on August 4, 1961, while the coldest temperature recorded was −40 °F (−40.0 °C) on December 30, 1968. ^[6]

Climate data for Trout Creek, Montana, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–2022
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	57 (14)	69 (21)	77 (25)	92 (33)	98 (37)	102 (39)	105 (41)	110 (43)	101 (38)	89 (32)	69 (21)	55 (13)	110 (43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	45.8 (7.7)	52.5 (11.4)	65.5 (18.6)	78.0 (25.6)	87.2 (30.7)	91.3 (32.9)	97.7 (36.5)	97.4 (36.3)	90.1 (32.3)	76.0 (24.4)	55.5 (13.1)	43.5 (6.4)	99.3 (37.4)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	33.6 (0.9)	39.1 (3.9)	48.4 (9.1)	57.9 (14.4)	68.1 (20.1)	74.1 (23.4)	84.9 (29.4)	84.7 (29.3)	74.2 (23.4)	57.7 (14.3)	40.9 (4.9)	33.0 (0.6)	58.1 (14.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)	28.0 (−2.2)	30.8 (−0.7)	38.0 (3.3)	45.0 (7.2)	53.6 (12.0)	59.5 (15.3)	66.8 (19.3)	65.7 (18.7)	57.6 (14.2)	46.1 (7.8)	34.7 (1.5)	27.6 (−2.4)	46.1 (7.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	22.4 (−5.3)	22.5 (−5.3)	27.7 (−2.4)	32.1 (0.1)	39.1 (3.9)	44.9 (7.2)	48.7 (9.3)	46.6 (8.1)	41.0 (5.0)	34.6 (1.4)	28.5 (−1.9)	22.3 (−5.4)	34.2 (1.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−1.2 (−18.4)	1.0 (−17.2)	13.7 (−10.2)	22.4 (−5.3)	26.4 (−3.1)	32.9 (0.5)	37.4 (3.0)	36.0 (2.2)	28.6 (−1.9)	20.3 (−6.5)	12.3 (−10.9)	1.2 (−17.1)	−10.8 (−23.8)
Record low °F (°C)	−33 (−36)	−23 (−31)	−11 (−24)	9 (−13)	18 (−8)	27 (−3)	27 (−3)	26 (−3)	18 (−8)	5 (−15)	−8 (−22)	−40 (−40)	−40 (−40)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.20 (81)	2.34 (59)	1.93 (49)	1.75 (44)	2.06 (52)	2.42 (61)	0.90 (23)	0.86 (22)	1.32 (34)	2.86 (73)	3.46 (88)	3.72 (94)	26.82 (680)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	18.2 (46)	6.4 (16)	3.7 (9.4)	0.3 (0.76)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	5.8 (15)	17.0 (43)	51.4 (130.16)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	15.0 (38)	9.4 (24)	4.8 (12)	0.3 (0.76)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	3.9 (9.9)	10.9 (28)	16.2 (41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	15.4	10.9	12.2	11.7	11.1	11.0	5.2	4.9	6.4	10.5	14.4	15.6	129.3
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	6.1	2.9	1.5	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.4	5.6	18.6
Source 1: NOAA [7]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima, snow depth 1981–2010) [6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
2020	277		—
U.S. Decennial Census [8]

As of the census ^[9] of 2000, there were 261 people, 109 households, and 72 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 139.9 inhabitants per square mile (54.0/km²). There were 135 housing units at an average density of 72.4 per square mile (28.0/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.87% White, 1.92% Native American, and 4.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.92% of the population.

There were 109 households, out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 32.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.1 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,458, and the median income for a family was $28,958. Males had a median income of $25,357 versus $12,083 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $15,910. About 17.5% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.5% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

POLITICS: In 2016, 2020, and 2024 Trout Creek voted for Republican, Donald Trump. In 2024, the vote for Trump was 79%.

Popular Events

Trout Creek, famous for its abundance of huckleberries, has been proclaimed by the legislature as the huckleberry capital of Montana and hosts the annual Huckleberry Festival each August. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, camping, hiking, hunting and fishing are available, while Cabinet Gorge and Town has accessible recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. Also located nearby—beautiful Vermillion and Graves Creek falls.

Trout Creek is located on the banks of Noxon Rapids Reservoir, a thirty-three mile impoundment of the Clark Fork River stretching from Thompson Falls to Noxon. The reservoir offers some of the best bass and pike fishing in Northwestern Montana. Averaging only a mile wide, the setting stirs the imagination for a mountainous watershed teeming with trout, and they too cruise through this shallow reservoir known for offering good small mouth and largemouth bass fishing, along with pike, walleye, yellow perch and sun fish.

Bass tournaments are held in the spring and a pike tournament is held in the fall. Snow capped mountains loom over the Clark Fork drainage. Pine trees rush down from the tallest mountains to lean out over the water. This area offers fantastic fishing for both warm and cold-water species, the reservoir is home to over 25 species of native and introduced populations.

The second Saturday in February there is an annual Snowmobile Poker Run starting and ending in Trout Creek, MT.

The second week in June there is an annual ATV Rally starting and ending in Trout Creek. It is typically a two-day event with a short ride the first day. The second day features a poker run and hog roast or BBQ.

Weekly farmers market starting after 4 July - Wednesday 4-6p Trout Creek Park

Annual summer Kayak Poker Run

August Shakespeare In-The-Park

The annual Huckleberry Festival takes place on the second weekend in August. It is a three-day bazaar with parade, pie eating contest, talent show, 5K fun run, archery, rock climbing, dog agility course, baking contests, helicopter rides, and live entertainment included. Many of the booths sell huckleberry based products which local and foreign visitors enjoy (http://huckleberryfestival.com/).

Archery: Trout Creek School 2023 Middle School State champions

TROUT CREEK PARK Located at the end of Park Street on the SE end of town, our five-acre park features the following: Stage & Bleachers Festival Booths Plumbed Restroom Facilities (Handicap Accessible) Horseshoe Pits RV Power Hookups (no dump services on-site) Play Structure Picnic Areas Covered Pavilion

TROUT CREEK BOAT LAUNCH Officially owned and managed by AVISTA, TCCIA co-maintains our town's boat launch and picnic area, which features the following: Two covered picnic pavilions Fire ring Free-Standing Grills Swim Area & Swim Dock (No Lifeguard On Duty) Boat Launch & Dock Fresh Water Frost-Free Hydrant

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Trout Creek, Montana
3. "Trout Creek". Montana Place Names Companion. Montana Historical Society. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
5. Climate Summary for Trout Creek, Montana
6. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Missoula". National Weather Service. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
7. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Trout Creek RS, MT". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.