about
The Fisheries Lab is a new research group at Salish Kootenai College located in western Montana under the direction of Dr. Niall Clancy. We address applied questions related to freshwater fishes, community ecology, climate change vulnerability, and biogeography. We are particularly interested in partnering with tribal fish and wildlife professionals to address important conservation needs on and off of reservation lands.
We are recruiting! Please email niall_clancy@skc.edu if you are interested in a master’s degree relevant to the above categories. Registered tribal members are especially encouraged to reach out.
people
Niall G. Clancy – Principal Investigator
Niall is a freshwater ecologist with a particular affinity for streams and nongame species. He holds a B.S. from Montana State University, M.S. from Utah State University, and Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming. He teaches or has taught Fisheries Management, Ichthyology, Community Ecology and Restoration Ecology. In his free time, he enjoys baseball, backpacking, fly fishing, and weekend expeditions to the bookstore.
Hometown: Hamilton, Montana
KateLyne J. Goes Ahead Pretty – M.S. Student
KateLyne holds a B.S. in Ecology from Aaniiih Nakoda College and currently works as a Project Manager for the Nic?-Mni (Water) Center there. She is studying the impacts of acid-mine waste on stream ecosystems and culturally significant plants on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. She enjoys doing things with her family, engaging in community and youth involvement, and beading.
Hometown: Fort Belknap, Montana
Madeline M. Hamilton – Data Technician
Madeline is a data technician with The Fisheries Lab and a current B.S. student studying wildlife and fisheries management. She already holds a B.A. from the University of San Francisco and is interested in the intersection between ecology and sociology. She enjoys getting outside by biking, hiking, running, and spending time in her garden.
Hometown: Missoula, Montana
Niall and technician Nolan seining a beaver pond near Havre, MT 
Bull Trout eating another Bull Trout in NW Montana 
Large Creek Chub from stream near Cheyenne, WY 
Fisheries Management students at the University of Wyoming 
Tailed frog in creek near Libby, MT 
Niall and 2024 field crew near Miles City, MT 
Prairie stream in north-central Montana 
Central Stoneroller from SE Wyoming 
Niall and parents on last field survey for PhD 
Torrent Sculpin captured near Troy, MT 
Electrofishing a small prairie stream near Cheyenne, WY 
Niall with a Bigmouth Buffalo near Malta, MT 
Inland rainforest stream near Libby, MT 
Niall with UWyo MS student Kye Catlin and technician Iggy Draugelis 
Baby snapping turtle from SE Wyoming 
Shorthead Redhorse captured near Plevna, MT 
Waiting for the tow truck 
Spiny softshell turtle seen on the CMR Wildlife Refuge, MT 
Beaver dam, Arikaree River near Nebraska-Kansas border 
Chief Mountain near Glacier National Park seen during conference visit 
Niall giving his PhD defense 
Beaver dam analog constructed near Buffalo, WY 
Niall’s car parked at a field site in western Kansas 
Beaver dam on creek near Douglas, WY 
Woodhouse’s toad captured near Ekalaka, MT 
Beaver captured for live translocation during workshop in Logan, UT 
Beaver dam on the Poplar River in NE Montana 
Prairie Creek near Joliet, MT 
Tiger salamander larvae captured near Colstrip, MT 
Bullfrog hiding underwater in a western Nebraska stream 
Beaver dam analog constructed near Buffalo, WY 
Plains Sucker captured near Fort Smith, MT 
Niall and 2023 field crew near Buffalo, WY 
Niall on the lower Yellowstone River near Sidney, MT 
Technician Jon holding a Bull Trout near Libby, MT
