Managing for native species

[Joe S.]

Our state has put emphasis on managing its fish resources for native species while trying to diminish introduced species that did not naturally evolve with the habitat. Some people here are in an uproar about it, but I llike the idea. What do you think?

[dinosaur]

I think any opinion I would have will have to wait until I could see a list of what your state considers indigenous species. Some terrific game species have been introduced successfully and are a blessing for sportsmen.

[Grandpa]

The only native species around here was trout. With the white man came irrigation projects which changed the complexion of the fisheries. Some shallower reservoirs became too warm for the trout species but yellow perch, bluegill, crappie and bass have been added to make an all round good fishing experience.

Be careful in your thinking Joe. Those thinking to return only to native species are also those wanting to tear all the hydroelectric dams out of the Columbia and Snake rivers so they can fish. All of this is an effort by some to "rewild America" (do a google on that) and fall in line with the UN's Rio de Janeiro Biodiversity pact of 1992. (even worse for the US than the UN handgun laws.)

[back2nature]

How can trout be the only native fish in your area? I've never seen a body of water have only one type of fish in my entire life - at least, not bigger than a fish pond in someone's yard.

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by back2nature

How can trout be the only native fish in your area? I've never seen a body of water have only one type of fish in my entire life - at least, not bigger than a fish pond in someone's yard.

Then you haven't been here.

[dinosaur]

I reiterate. Not all areas of the U.S. have natural lakes. Some have rivers and streams. Trout need running water or they won't breed. Bass and bluegill need water temperatures at least approaching sixty degrees or they will not trigger their breeding response. Crappie and pike species need colder water. Walleyed pike need a particular bottom structure. Catfish have to have openings into a sheltered area.

Many of these habitats have been artificially created. Properly managed, they are a boon to fishing. Trout are tasty and fun to catch but every once in a while it's nice to catch something else.

[ppine]

Of course we are referring to forage fish species here- dace, minnows, chubs, etc. They are all natives in Idaho.

I believe in the native species movement with regard to fisheries. Many introduced species will decline if they are not stocked, but many will be with us no matter what we do. I used to do a lot of work with the US Bureau of Reclamation. The dam building days are over. Even though Idahoans and many other people are sold on the warm water species in the West, they will be emphasized less in the future. It is inevitable that some dams will be removed when their leases run out. My hope is that the technology to allow fish passage around dams will continue to improve.

Redfish Lake (in Idaho) would be a better place with a sockeye run of more than 6 fish.

There a couple of Indian Res in no NV that were established in the Snake River drainage because they provided salmon for sustenance. They haven't seen fish in a very long time. The scenes depicted in the old pictures and movies of Celilo Falls on the Columbia are buried behind a dam.

The old lake record at Pyramid Lake, NV for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout was 42 pounds. The modern record of a strain from a different part of NV is about 26 pounds. Improving fisheries is complicated and requires time. I would gladly give up some bass and catfish for giant trout and salmon.

[Sagebrusher]

Originally Posted by ppine

There a couple of Indian Res in no NV that were established in the Snake River drainage because they provided salmon for sustenance. They haven't seen fish in a very long time. The scenes depicted in the old pictures and movies of Celilo Falls on the Columbia are buried behind a dam.

I read somewhere that the Columbia/Snake watershed once had more salmon than the rest of the world put together! I'm not sure if that is really true.

[Joe S.]

Oh it is true. The dams that were built on rivers that are part of the Columbia drainage REALLY clipped the salmon run back. It's a sore subject for me.

[CozInCowtown]

Just don't let them put them hybred stripers in your lakes and rivers, they will whipe out the native fish population.
TPWD did that years ago and now we have almost no sandies, krappie and bluegills left in some lakes.
JMO,
Coz