07-24-2009, 09:09 PM
I was sent this by a lady in the F&G. Ron
"Rob Thornberry
The news continues to be bad at Ririe Reservoir.
It started last fall when the Idaho Department of Fish and Game found walleye had been illegally introduced in the irrigation reservoir east of Idaho Falls. Walleyes aren't wanted because they eat other fish, including a native trout that now inhabits less than 50 percent of its historic range.
Now biologists are finding three different ages of walleye, a sign the species is finding the reservoir to its liking.
"It's discouraging," said Dan Garren, regional fisheries manager. "We were hoping they wouldn't take root in the reservoir."
Apparently, they have, and Garren is now left to monitor the situation and hope walleye will feast on chubs and suckers. If they do, the walleye population may soon grow large enough to draw anglers to Ririe.
"They could behave themselves," Garren said. "They could add to the fishery. They could provide more diversity for anglers."
That's the positive spin.
Also possible, the growing walleye population could target kokanee, which would be bad news for anglers. Both fish live in open water. If the walleye find kokanee to their liking, anglers could soon take a hit, particularly those who like to fish through the ice.
"We've spent a lot of time working on improving the kokanee fishery," Garren said. "Walleye could drive the kokanee fishery into the dirt, and we'd lose an important component to Ririe."
The illegally introduced walleyes are also a potential threat to Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Garren is worried the walleye will prey on cutthroat trout in the reservoir and upstream into the Willow Creek drainage. More serious is the concern walleye could escape downstream to the South Fork of the Snake River, a cutthroat stronghold.
"It's just another threat," Garren said. "It's the addition of a predatory fish pressuring an already stressed-out species."
Garren said the department has tagged fish with radio transmitters to see whether they can find walleye strongholds and possibly set nets to kill walleyes. The department could also guide anglers toward fish in the hopes that they can control the population."
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"Rob Thornberry
The news continues to be bad at Ririe Reservoir.
It started last fall when the Idaho Department of Fish and Game found walleye had been illegally introduced in the irrigation reservoir east of Idaho Falls. Walleyes aren't wanted because they eat other fish, including a native trout that now inhabits less than 50 percent of its historic range.
Now biologists are finding three different ages of walleye, a sign the species is finding the reservoir to its liking.
"It's discouraging," said Dan Garren, regional fisheries manager. "We were hoping they wouldn't take root in the reservoir."
Apparently, they have, and Garren is now left to monitor the situation and hope walleye will feast on chubs and suckers. If they do, the walleye population may soon grow large enough to draw anglers to Ririe.
"They could behave themselves," Garren said. "They could add to the fishery. They could provide more diversity for anglers."
That's the positive spin.
Also possible, the growing walleye population could target kokanee, which would be bad news for anglers. Both fish live in open water. If the walleye find kokanee to their liking, anglers could soon take a hit, particularly those who like to fish through the ice.
"We've spent a lot of time working on improving the kokanee fishery," Garren said. "Walleye could drive the kokanee fishery into the dirt, and we'd lose an important component to Ririe."
The illegally introduced walleyes are also a potential threat to Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Garren is worried the walleye will prey on cutthroat trout in the reservoir and upstream into the Willow Creek drainage. More serious is the concern walleye could escape downstream to the South Fork of the Snake River, a cutthroat stronghold.
"It's just another threat," Garren said. "It's the addition of a predatory fish pressuring an already stressed-out species."
Garren said the department has tagged fish with radio transmitters to see whether they can find walleye strongholds and possibly set nets to kill walleyes. The department could also guide anglers toward fish in the hopes that they can control the population."
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