Walleye

2019 Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Netting Update

Since 2006, IDFG has worked to manage and suppress lake trout, which threatened to collapse the kokanee population. This program has been tremendously successful, leading to recovery of kokanee in Lake Pend Oreille, and continues to have strong public support. In recent years, we have observed a new threat from a growing walleye population. Walleye were illegally introduced in the Clark Fork River, and like lake trout, are a top-level predator. Although walleye are a popular sport fish, they pose a significant risk to sustaining the Lake Pend Oreille fishery.

Where are the walleye? Updates from the Pend Oreille walleye tracking study

Fish and Game biologists initiated a pilot study in March 2018 to better understand walleye movement in Lake Pend Oreille.  Walleye were tagged with transmitters that allow biologists to track their movements throughout the lake and rivers using telemetry.  Although our sample size was small during the first year, the study already has revealed some important general patterns:

$50,000 is swimming in Lake Pend Oreille

If the great taste of a walleye fillet isn’t enough, anglers will now have added incentive to catch and keep walleye in Lake Pend Oreille and connected Idaho waters. Starting March 1, an experimental program launched by Idaho Fish and Game and Avista will offer a chance at cash rewards for anglers harvesting walleye.

Magic Valley Ice Fishing Report

2019 Ice Fishing Report: January

Magic Reservoir: Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Lots of options available for Magic Valley ice anglers

Winter is here, and the Magic Valley is a destination for ice anglers because of its reliable ice and many places to fish from local ponds to large lakes and reservoirs. 

Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Telemetry Update

Walleye were illegally introduced into Noxon Reservoir (Montana) in the early 1990’s. Noxon Reservoir is upstream of Lake Pend Oreille on the Clark Fork River. Walleye spawn below Thompson Falls Dam (the upstream end of Noxon Reservoir) and their fry naturally drift downstream after hatching, which is likely how they got into Lake Pend Oreille. Walleye were first detected at low densities in Lake Pend Oreille in the mid-2000s and their densities have been rapidly increasing in recent years.

Walleye Discovered in Lake Cascade

An angler fishing for smallmouth bass and perch on Lake Cascade near Crown Point earlier this week instead reeled in an adult walleye, measuring more than 19 inches in length. Fish and Game regional fisheries manager Dale Allen positively identified the fish on Wednesday, August 22.

Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Update

There is a toothy new predator in northern Idaho’s largest lake. Walleye, which were essentially non-existent in the lake ten years ago, have become increasingly abundant, to the point where they are now a significant player in the fishery. Lake Pend Oreille has long been known for its trophy rainbow trout and bull trout, having produced world records for both species. The trophy fishery, and to a very large extent, the sport fishery in general, is built on a foundation of kokanee.

Clark Fork and Pack River Angler Survey Underway

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with Avista, began conducting a 10-month angler creel survey on the Clark Fork River from Lake Pend Oreille to Cabinet Gorge Dam on February 1. Additionally, we began surveying anglers fishing the Pack River, Grouse Creek, and Lightning Creek on March 1. We plan to continue these surveys through approximately December 1, 2018.

Lake Pend Oreille "State of the Lake" Public Meeting

The Lake Pend Oreille "State of the Lake" public meeting is held annually.  This year the meeting is set for Thursday, March 30th.  Idaho Fish and Game staff will give a presentation summarizing fisheries information and activities related to the Lake Pend Oreille fishery from the past year. Time will be provided afterwards for question and answer.  Anyone interested in the Lake Pend Oreille fishery is encouraged to attend.  We hope to see you there.

Meeting details are as follows:

WHEN: Thursday, March 30th, 2017 from 6-8pm