If you’ve spent much time fishing on Lake Pend Oreille, then maybe you’ve been lucky enough to catch a big rainbow trout. If not, you’ve likely seen pictures of the truly impressive fish that reside there.
Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program: a chance to win prizes for fishing!
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Anglers on Lake Pend Oreille can enter to win prizes by participating in an Angler Science Program for rainbow trout
In recent years, Lake Pend Oreille has been producing more rainbow trout over 20 pounds than anywhere else on Earth! This world-class trophy fishery is firing on all cylinders right now, and Idaho Fish and Game is working hard to keep it that way.
To effectively manage this trophy fishery, Fish and Game monitors the rainbow trout population and angler fishing success; however, it’s hard to get all the information needed through traditional fish survey methods.
Anglers, this is where you come in – Fish and Game needs your help and is inviting fisherman to participate in an Angler Science program to help gather information that will help Fish and Game manage the trophy rainbow trout fishery.
The Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program is comprised of anglers who help Fish and Game collect monitoring data for fish in LPO, mainly through completing logbooks and reporting tagged fish.
To-date, we have learned some important information from the angler science program. For example, catch rates were higher in 2022 than in 2021, and rainbow trout over 30 inches continue to make up greater than 15% of the catch.
To sweeten the deal, anglers can win great prizes by participating in the program!
What you can win
By participating in the program, you will receive a custom Lyman lure and sticker. In addition, you will be entered into a free raffle for the following prizes:
- Yeti Tundra 45 coolers
- Bubba electric filet knives
- Work Sharp electric knife sharpeners
- Custom Yeti 20-ounce tumblers
- Custom trucker hats and beanies
How you can participate
Complete a fishing logbook – Anglers must record information while fishing for rainbow trout on Lake Pend Oreille during two time periods that coincide with local fishing derbies.
- Nov. 1-5 the Lake Pend Oreille Angler's Club is hosting its Fall Derby
- Nov. 18-26 the Lake Pend Oreille Idaho Club is hosting its Thanksgiving Derby
There will be a free raffle associated with each time period for participants who submit their logbooks by Dec. 10.
Rules for the raffle are the same as previous years, but logbook pick-up locations have changed. Logbooks will be included with the purchase of all derby tickets.
If you are not participating in a derby, don’t worry. Free logbooks can be picked up at the Panhandle Regional office at 2885 W Kathleen Ave in Coeur d'Alene. For full details, check out this link .
Report tagged rainbow trout –To better understand rainbow trout catch rates, harvest rates and survival rates, Fish and Game is conducting a tagging study in Lake Pend Oreille.
If you’re fishing on Pend Oreille, please keep your eye out for tags located in the backs of rainbow trout. Each tag has a unique number printed on it, as well as a phone number, URL and reward value (on select tags only).
Tags can carry a reward value of $25, $50, $100 or $200, so cross your fingers and hope you catch that reward fish!
If you see a tag, please report the tag number and location of where you caught the fish to Fish and Game.
For full details on the tagging study and how you can participate, check out this link.
Please contact the Panhandle Regional office at (208) 769-1414 if you have any questions or would like to learn more about the angler science program on Lake Pend Oreille.
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