Kokanee Outlook Improves in Lake Pend Oreille

The future outlook for kokanee in Lake Pend Oreille (LPO) is better today than it was a year ago. However, efforts to reduce predators must be sustained to restore the popular kokanee and rainbow trout fisheries, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). "We finally have some encouraging news in the battle to save Lake Pend Oreille, but we are not out of the woods yet," said Ned Horner, IDFG Regional Fisheries Manager. Recent analysis of LPO population data by Dr. Mike Hansen, University of Wisconsin professor and lake trout expert, demonstrate that between the use of angler incentives and removal of lake trout with trap nets, the mortality rate of lake trout has been dramatically increased. This effort must be continued to be successful, but it is taking a bite out of the predator population that is affecting LPO's kokanee. Anglers harvested 10,800 lake trout and 5,800 rainbow trout through an angler incentive program. Another 4,800 lake trout have been taken through a netting program. Adding in natural mortality, approximately 35,800 lake trout have been removed from LPO for a 59.5 percent annual mortality rate. Rainbow trout are not targeted by the netting program, so the mortality rate of rainbow trout is substantially lower. "We believe the mortality rates of lake trout that we are seeing are likely high enough to offset recruitment," said Horner. "Now it is essential that we sustain the effort to have long term success". Angler cooperation and assistance have been essential to the gains made to date. Anglers receive a monetary reward for harvesting lake trout or rainbow trout from LPO. Daily bag limits on the two species have been suspended. "The multiple methods of angling and netting are aiding in the suppression of predator numbersÉgiving kokanee a chance to rebound," said Horner. The initial incentive of $10/fish was increased to $15/fish on December 1 to encourage anglers at a time of year when fishing activity typically declines. Horner is encouraged. "There are good numbers of kokanee fry in the lake, and fairly good numbers of one year old fish. IDFG has collected nearly 12 million kokanee eggs to rear at the Cabinet Gorge Hatchery for release in LPO in 2007. With the continued help of concerned anglers taking the hungry mouths of predators out of the lake, it appears we can still pull out of this unbalanced condition," said Horner.