Anglers Reminded of Trout Regulation Changes for the Kootenai River

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is reminding anglers of the trout fishing regulation changes for the Kootenai River that took effect on Jan 1, 2002. The new bag limit is now 2 trout (either rainbow or cutthroat), and no trout under 16" may be kept. There are no gear restrictions. Some anglers expressed concern about allowing the use of bait when trout under 16 inches need to be released. Similar regulations on cutthroat trout in other Idaho waters have shown that fish populations improve even when bait is allowed. Anglers can help by hooking bait caught trout quickly so the hook isn't swallowed and releasing the fish carefully. If an undersized trout swallows the hook, cutting the line will allow the hook to quickly rust out. The new regulations are a result of ongoing research the Department has been conducting on the river. Biologists have been tagging fish with radio-tags and angler reward tags to learn about fish movements, spawning locations, and angler harvest rates. Based on tag returns from anglers, biologists have determined that fishermen harvested about 50% of the trout population 9" or larger in 1999 and 2000. Typically, when harvest rates exceed about 30-35% in other sport fisheries, managers begin implementing restrictions to prevent overharvest. Thus, biologists felt tighter restrictions were warranted for the Kootenai River. Research has also shown the Kootenai River trout population is recruitment limited, meaning that relatively few young fish are added to the population each year. There are very few streams available in Idaho for spawning trout. The combination of high harvest rates and low recruitment rates can cause sharp declines in fish populations. The 16" minimum size limit will protect fish until they can spawn at least once. Fishing pressure is increasing on the river as well. IDFG will be finishing a 1-year creel survey soon that started in March 2000. Biologists have been interviewing anglers to determine how many fish they are catching, how long they fish, and what types of bait gear they prefer to fish with. Data tallied through last summer (when most angling occurred) indicates that fishing pressure has doubled since the last creel survey conducted in 1993. Both local fishermen and anglers from outside the region have "discovered" the quality trout fishing and beautiful canyon setting of the river upstream of Bonners Ferry. The increased use of jet boats and rafts has allowed more access to a formerly "secluded" section of river. Local anglers are well aware of the fate of white sturgeon, ling (burbot), and bull trout that can no longer be targeted by sport fishermen. Kokanee runs, which provided angling action in several west side tributaries even into the early 1980's have also declined to near zero. Other than whitefish, which have the following of a few dedicated anglers, trout are the only remaining sportfish in the river. Kootenai River rainbow trout, also known as "redbands" are a unique population in Idaho in that they have been "landlocked" since at least the last glacial period, isolated from the ocean-run (steelhead) form of rainbow trout. The Department of Fish and Game wants to insure there will be a fishable population of these native trout for generations to come, even if it means tighter angling restrictions. To insure future generations of anglers, take a kid fishing!