75th Celebration: 1981 - New to Idaho Waters

Idaho has about 120 fish species within its lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Of those, only about 40 species are native, meaning they are in Idaho naturally. Most of the remaining 80-plus species were intentionally introduced to provide recreational fishing opportunities or as new food sources. Some species were introduced illegally. Native fish in Idaho-Chinook salmon, steelhead, cutthroat trout and sturgeon, among others-support some of the state's most popular fisheries. Introduced fish have created many outstanding and extremely popular fisheries, as well. Unfortunately introduced fish sometimes cause serious problems for native fish populations through predation, competition, or hybridization. In those cases, fishery managers are faced with the challenge of balancing native fish conservation with non-native sport fishing opportunities. Though we may tend to think these challenges are relatively new, our predecessors recognized them years ago. Idaho's first Statewide Fishery Management Plan was created in 1981, establishing statewide policy regarding native and non-native fish management for the first time. To read more about this and other 75th Celebration stories, go to: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/75th