The approximately 20,000-volume collection,[3] established in 2000, is devoted to preserving literary (fiction and non-fiction), scientific, government and media resources related to all aspects of trout and other salmonids.

[4][5] In 1999, then Dean of the Montana State University Library, Bruce Morton, and local angling legend Bud Lilly[6] conceived the idea of forming a world-class collection of literature on trout and salmonids.

[7] Bud Lilly, a 1949 alumnus of the university, stated he "would like to see students and others broaden their perspective of trout beyond the 'how-to' and 'where-to-go' angling books that publishing houses started spawning in the 1960s".

The collection holds a broad array of works encompassing biology, ecology, angling, politics, economics, music scores, and the culinary arts; spiritual, literary and philosophical works; books, periodicals, government publications, and scientific reports; diaries, theses and dissertations.

[11] The collection also comprises the personal papers of many luminaries and influential authors, artists, scientists and angling industry insiders associated with trout and salmonids.