Field reports: Public meeting focuses on Kings Lake treatment

FISHING – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is holding meetings this month to discuss proposed treatment projects at four Eastern Washington Lakes, including a project at Kings Lake in Pend Oreille County.

Using rotenone to remove existing fisheries and restocking with desired species would improve trout broodstock production and trout fishing, officials said.

At Kings Lake, which is not open to sport fishing, biologists would remove rainbow trout that are hybridizing with westslope cutthroat trout.

The treatment is needed to maintain the genetic integrity of Kings Lake cutthroat trout, which are the source of hatchery production for fish stocked throughout the eastern region, said Bill Baker, district fish biologist.

After treatment, Kings Lake would be restocked with cutthroat. As a broodstock source, the lake will remain closed to fishing, Baker said.

Other rehabilitation projects are proposed for Alta and Fish lakes and Schallow Pond In Okanogan County.

Public meetings in the Spokane region are:

• Wednesday in Newport, at Create Art Center, 900 W. 4th St.

• Thursday  in Spokane Valley, at the WDFW Eastern Region office, 2315  N. Discovery Place (in Mirabeau Point, between Evergreen and Pines streets)

Rotenone is a naturally-occurring substance derived from the roots of tropical plants. It has been used in lake and stream rehabilitation for more than 60 years by WDFW and other fish and wildlife agencies nationwide. Rotenone is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a fish pesticide, and is regulated in Washington through the state departments of Ecology and Agriculture.

Rich Landers

Bears steer clear of Lake Gillette trap

WILDLIFE – After a woman runner was roughed up by a bear July 2 in Stevens County, state Fish and Wildlife Police and a houndsman killed a 70-pound black bear near the Lake Gillette Campground.

A larger bear also was seen running away, said Madonna Luers, Fish and Wildlife Department spokeswoman. A culvert trap was set in the area, but no bears were lured by the bait.

Rich Landers

Skills clinic set on South Hill bluff

TRAILS – A group formed to maintain trails on the South Hill bluffs is holding a trail work skills clinic Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, starting near the junction of High Drive and Bernard.

 Mike Brixey, an experienced trail builder from IMBA (the International Mountain Bike Association) will teach the clinic, at the request of the High Drive Bluffs volunteer trail team. He will emphasize ways to build and maintain multi-use trails that will resist erosion. Hikers and mountain bikers over age 12 are encouraged to attend.   A native plant and weed identification and management hike will be offered on the Bluff the evening of July 27. Info: Diana Roberts, WSU Spokane County Extension, (509) 477-2167, email robertsd@wsu.edu.

Rich Landers