Panhandle Fishing Rule Meetings Set

The first of a series of public meetings on fishing rule proposals for the Panhandle Region have been scheduled in April. Anglers will be asked to provide direction for the 2008-2009 fishing regulation cycle. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently approved the 2007-2012 Fish Management Plan providing direction on how to manage fisheries across the state. New research also has provided additional information on how Fish and Game may want to manage fisheries differently. All meetings will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the locations below: ¥ Wednesday, April 18, Idaho Fish and Game, 2885 Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene. ¥ Thursday, April 19, AVISTA building, 120 N. Hill St., Kellogg. ¥ Tuesday, April 24, County Extension Office, 6447 Kootenai St., Bonners Ferry. ¥ Wednesday, April 25, U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station, 1500 U.S. Highway 2, Sandpoint. Following are some items to consider before attending one of the meetings, and Fish and Game want to know what anglers think. Moyie River: Private property along the upper half of the Moyie River has made access to the river difficult. Consequently, one of the best ways to fish this section of river is by boat, but after July, flows become low enough that floating becomes difficult. To increase fishing opportunities in the Moyie River, Fish and Game wants to know what anglers think about opening the river to fishing year round. This would allow people to float and fish the river in April and May when flows are higher. Past work indicates few of these fish are harvested by anglers; consequently, the longer season should not affect the fishery. Priest Lake: The six-year fish management plan indicates that Fish and Game should shift management emphasis in Priest Lake to lake trout, to provide a yield and a trophy fishery. A lake trout fishery will not attract as many fishermen as a kokanee, cutthroat trout and bull trout fishery. But Fish and Game may be able to increase angler interest by managing the lake trout fishery with limits that would attract harvest oriented fishermen and still include a potential to catch a trophy sized fish - larger than 15 pounds. Lake-run cutthroat trout: Cutthroat trout in Pend Oreille Lake and Coeur d'Alene Lake have been reduced significantly below historic levels. The six-year fish management plan indicates Fish and Game should evaluate strategies to rebuild these lake-run fish. In Pend Oreille Lake anglers may keep two cutthroat trout over 16 inches, and in Coeur d'Alene Lake they may keep two fish - none between 8 and 16 inches. Fish and Game is considering catch-and-release regulations for cutthroat trout in both these lakes to provide greater protection for these depressed stocks. Trophy trout lakes: Only two lowland lakes in the Panhandle - Bonner Lake and Hayden Lake - are managed for trophy trout with a two-fish limit and none under 14 inches, where anglers have a good opportunity to harvest larger trout. Anglers have indicated a desire to see more of these lakes in the Panhandle. Bonner Lake was treated in 1998 to remove stunted warm-water fish, and rainbow trout stocking started in 1999. The ensuing fishery was extremely popular, but warm water fish have again taken over the lake, and the trout fishery has suffered. The aquatic vegetation in Bonner Lake makes it impossible to effectively remove undesirable species and consequently is not the best lake to manage for trophy trout. Fish and Game is looking for other lakes to manage with trophy trout regulations. Coeur d'Alene River: Recent work on cutthroat trout in the Coeur d'Alene River watershed has shown that after spawning, these fish remain in a relatively short reach of river for the rest of the year. These fish also grow faster and reach the largest size of any cutthroat trout in the Panhandle. There is an opportunity to provide a trophy cutthroat trout fishery in areas where good habitat and suitable water temperatures occur. One of these areas is the 11-mile reach of the Coeur d'Alene River between the Cataldo Mission Boat Ramp and the South Fork. A catch-and-release regulation and year round season in this reach of river would allow fish to achieve their maximum growth potential and maximize fishing opportunity. Research shows the Shoshone Creek watershed provides critical summer habitat for cutthroat and might be another good candidate for expanding catch-and-release regulations. To offset losses in harvest opportunity, areas managed as catch-and-release could be changed to allowed harvest of two fish, none between 8 and 16 inches. Smallmouth Bass: The expansion of smallmouth bass throughout the panhandle has increased concerns that these fish may be hurting other fisheries. As a result, Fish and Game is asking anglers' opinions on whether we should manage smallmouth bass differently from largemouth bass. Possible changes include removing size restrictions and limits on smallmouth bass. Coeur d'Alene Lake Kokanee: The kokanee limit has been reduced to six fish to help rebuild a weak year class of kokanee. Excessive angler harvest was part of the reason for the problems with the kokanee population in 2006 and 2007. It is not possible to sustain a 25 fish kokanee limit when the fish are at low densities and over 14 inches long. Fish and Game is considering a reduction in the limit after 2007, possibly something similar to the 15 fish limit at Spirit Lake. Anyone unable to attend the meetings may send their comments to Ned Horner by e-mail: nhorner@idfg.idaho.gov; mail: IDFG 2885 W. Kathleen Ave, Coeur d'Alene ID 83815; or by phone at 208-769-1414.