Biologists can’t drain perch habitat

BOISE — State biologists are unable to drain Cascade Reservoir to revive the perch fishing there, so they are moving ahead on what they call “plan B.” An ambitious proposal to nearly drain the huge lake in 2005 to replant with perch was scrapped in February.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation found that if they drained the reservoir, there probably wouldn’t be enough water to refill it and provide water for endangered Snake River salmon downstream if the drought persists.