Watch Out For Tagged Fish

Anglers who like to fish Blackfoot Reservoir, the Blackfoot River or Alexander Reservoir, may find themselves involved in an interesting game of "tag" this summer. That's because biologists with the southeast regional office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game have begun tagging fish in these waters as part of separate studies on improving fish populations and angling experiences. Anglers, who happen to catch a tagged cutthroat in Blackfoot Reservoir or the Blackfoot River, are asked to quickly release the fish without attempting to read the tag or record the tag number. Anglers are required to release all cutthroat caught in the reservoir and the river, tagged or not. Anglers who catch tagged catfish from Alexander Reservoir may keep the fish, but Fish and Game asks anyone who does to report the catch and tag information to the regional office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703. "We are tagging cutthroat in Blackfoot Reservoir and the Blackfoot River as part of the ongoing effort to assess impacts of pelican predation on the cutthroat trout population," said David Teuscher, regional fisheries manager for Fish and Game's southeast region. "We will be collecting data from the tagged fish at the trap on the Blackfoot River and from survey work that will occur in the reservoir." Fish and Game has increased stocking of channel catfish in Alexander Reservoir over the past 10 years, which has improved angling and diversified opportunity in this fishery. The tagging study will help biologists estimate survival of hatchery fish, determine whether there is any natural production, and to help set future stocking goals. On the cutthroat, small metal tags are attached to the jaw. Thin green tags are affixed to the back of the catfish next to the dorsal fin. Anglers do not need to report any tagged fish caught in these southeast Idaho waters unless they keep a tagged catfish from Alexander Reservoir. For questions or to share information with Fish and Game regarding the tagging, please contact Teuscher or Arnie Brimmer at 208-232-4703.