You can help our native trout now

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are seeking comments on a draft environmental impact statement that evaluates options to benefit native trout by reducing lake trout numbers in Flathead Lake. Competition and predation from lake trout has resulted in drastic reductions in the cutthroat and bull trout populations in the lake and the connected populations found in the North and Middle Fork Flathead Rivers. Bull trout are listed as threatened and cutthroat are now a species of concern. Angling opportunities for both of our native trout are severely limited. Currently the tribes have been counting on a twice-a-year tournament – Mack Days – along with recreational angling to help reduce lake trout numbers so that the native trout can bounce back. But it is clear this isn’t doing the job. Bull trout and cutthroat numbers continue to be much lower than historically.

The tribes are now proposing to augment recreational angling with limited gillnetting of lake trout. This is where we need your help.

1. Bull trout and cutthroat trout populations are too important and they need your help.
2. This alternative will produce the quickest and most effective help for our native fish.
3. This alternative leaves plenty of lake trout — more than a million fish — in Flathead Lake for anglers.
4. By reducing predation from lake trout, this alternative will provide enhanced angling opportunities both in the lake and in the Middle and North Forks.
5. The alternative allows for adaptive approaches, if gillnetting doesn’t produce expected results or if unexpected impacts emerge, the program can be easily adjusted.

Bull trout and cutthroat trout in the Flathead region are an important part of Montana’s natural heritage. It would be a shame to see their numbers continue to diminish.

You can help! Tell the Tribes you support reducing the lake trout population in Flathead Lake to benefit native bull trout and westslope cutthroat.

The comment deadline is August 5th, 2013.

Please send comments to:

Les Evarts
Fisheries Program Manager
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Via Email: lese@cskt.org
(When emailing, please be sure “Flathead Lake DEIS comment” is in the subject line.)

Or

By Mail: P.O. Box 278, Pablo, Montana 59855

Click here to read the full Flathead Lake DEIS

To learn more about this important issue, please visit www.flatheadtu.org/FlatheadEIS.html

If you have questions, please contact Lucky Sultz (FVTU Conservation Chair) at l.sultz@bresnan.net