Field Reports: Lake PDO topic at Feb. 10 meeting
With kokanee numbers still declining in Lake Pend Oreille and survival of juvenile kokanee at an all-time low, the Idaho Fish and Game Department has scheduled a “State of the Lake” public meeting for Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon, at the Sandpoint Community Hall.
Angler incentives, trap netting and gill netting have significantly reduced lake trout that are preying on the kokanee, said Ned Horner, Idaho Fish and Game’s regional fisheries manager.
“Internationally recognized lake trout expert Dr. Mike Hansen has been working with Idaho Fish and Game to assess recovery efforts,” Horner said. “By continuing all removal methods, the lake trout population is projected to collapse in Lake Pend Oreille within five years. A collapse of lake trout is needed before kokanee numbers can recover.”
A healthy kokanee spawn in the lake and 9.3 million eyed kokanee eggs being hatched at the Cabinet Gorge are “buying time” for the kokanee population, he said.
Rich Landers
NATIONAL MONUMENTS
Hanford Reach plan released
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is holding a series of public meetings in the Columbia Basin to get input on the recently released Hanford Reach National Monument Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The plans also included the McNary and Umatilla National Wildlife Refuges.
The remaining meetings are Monday at the Hampton Inn in Richland, and Thursday at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco.
Info: (509) 371-1801 or hanfordreach.fws.gov /planning.html.
Rich Landers
OUTPEOPLE
Outdoor leaders selected for posts
Tom Karier of Spokane recently was re-elected chairman of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.
Karier, an associate dean at Eastern Washington University from 1995 to 1998 and professor of economics since 1981, was appointed to the council in 1998 by then-Gov. Gary Locke.
Jerry Gutzwiler, an orchardist from Wenatchee, has been elected chairman of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Gutzwiler is a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Safari Club International, the North American Moose Foundation and the Wenatchee Sportman’s Association. He is also a member of Ducks Unlimited.
Fred Shiosaki of Spokane, last year’s vice chairman of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, continues his four-year term on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. However, the six new commissioners appointed by Gov. Gregoire broke a general tradition by not advancing the vice chairman to chairman.
Cal Groen, 59, was named director of Idaho Fish and Game Department.
Rich Landers