Kokanee Haul Could Be A Problem

A mild winter in the lowlands has concentrated North Idaho’s ice fishers on just a few lakes, most notably Spirit Lake, where biologists and some anglers wonder if the luck has been too good for kokanee.

“The number of kokanee harvested so far this winter is downright staggering,” said Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department fisheries biologist. On average, around a thousand fish a day are being caught, he said.

“Multiply that by two months and you have a harvest of more than 60,000 kokanee.”

Anglers can keep 25 kokanee a day at Spirit Lake, and anglers familiar with the lake say shady counting techniques and illegal repeat visits to harvest a second daily limit are common among some greedy anglers.

Population estimates from 1981 through last year indicate the lake can support a catch of about 100,000 kokanee. Although some year classes are bigger than others, the winter fishing has taken a large slice of Spirit Lake’s kokanee pie, Fredericks said.

If enough of the mature three-year-old kokanee don’t survive to spawn next fall, fishing four years from now could be in jeopardy, he said.

Another problem with catching so many fish during winter is that it doesn’t leave many fish for summer.

Fish and Game Department crews have been surveying the sports catch and will be assessing the lake’s fish population throughout the year.

Between revising bag limits and seasons, officials may eventually design several alternatives to protect the fishery, Fredericks said.

“Some people have already suggested that we close the ice fishery,” he said. But officials would prefer to seek compromises that provide good fishing both in winter and summer, he said.

Idaho funds duck project

Sending money out of state is paying dividends to Idaho waterfowlers.

Idaho Fish and Game Department officials has delivered $2,400 this year to boost the Keho Lake habitat development project in southern Alberta. Since the 1980s, Idaho has earmarked 20 percent of the receipts from state waterfowl stamps and artwork to the Canadian wetlands project.

A large portion of the ducks that migrate through Idaho nest in the pothole country of southern Alberta.

To date, Idaho has paid $172,712 to boost nesting success in Alberta.

Idaho seasons to be set

Details for Idaho’s fall deer, elk, antelope, black bear and mountain lion seasons will be set during the state Fish and Game Commission meeting Thursday and Friday in Idaho Falls.

The commission also will consider:

Returning to nonresident hound hunter rules that would be more lenient about the number of hunters who could accompany a permit-holder.

Allocating outfitters a percentage of deer and elk controlled-hunt tags.

Liberalizing rules for landowners to acquire trophy big-game tags in appreciation for providing wildlife habitat.