07-07-2003, 09:16 PM
Meetings Set For Proposed Lake Treatments
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has set a series of meetings for anglers to comment on the proposed rotenone treatment of six ailing trout lakes in eastern and north-central Washington.
The lakes have declining trout populations due to infestations of introduced or undesirable species that out-compete trout. Treatment of the lakes with rotenone, a natural chemical derived from a plant root that kills fish, allows for rejuvenation of fishing with more cost-effective stocking of trout fry.
WDFW fish biologist John Hisata noted that surveys of Washington state anglers indicate trout fishing is preferred. The latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recreation survey in 2001 showed that resident and non-resident anglers over 16 years of age spent almost $202 million on trout fishing trips alone in Washington.
Final WDFW director approval of all proposed lake treatments proposed is slated for late August. Approved treatments will begin this fall or next spring.
The meeting schedule is:
[ul] [li]Ephrata, 7 p.m., July 8, in the annex conference room of WDFW's northcentral regional office, 1550 Alder St. N.W., to discuss treatment of Blue Lake (Sinlahekin) in Okanogan County and Dusty and Magpie lakes in Grant County.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Cheney, 6 p.m., July 9, at the Cheney Public Library, 610 First St., to discuss treatment of Williams and Hog Canyon lakes in Spokane County and Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Olympia, 7 p.m., July 15, in Room 175A of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St., SE, to discuss all proposals.[/li][/ul]
[signature]
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has set a series of meetings for anglers to comment on the proposed rotenone treatment of six ailing trout lakes in eastern and north-central Washington.
The lakes have declining trout populations due to infestations of introduced or undesirable species that out-compete trout. Treatment of the lakes with rotenone, a natural chemical derived from a plant root that kills fish, allows for rejuvenation of fishing with more cost-effective stocking of trout fry.
WDFW fish biologist John Hisata noted that surveys of Washington state anglers indicate trout fishing is preferred. The latest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recreation survey in 2001 showed that resident and non-resident anglers over 16 years of age spent almost $202 million on trout fishing trips alone in Washington.
Final WDFW director approval of all proposed lake treatments proposed is slated for late August. Approved treatments will begin this fall or next spring.
The meeting schedule is:
[ul] [li]Ephrata, 7 p.m., July 8, in the annex conference room of WDFW's northcentral regional office, 1550 Alder St. N.W., to discuss treatment of Blue Lake (Sinlahekin) in Okanogan County and Dusty and Magpie lakes in Grant County.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Cheney, 6 p.m., July 9, at the Cheney Public Library, 610 First St., to discuss treatment of Williams and Hog Canyon lakes in Spokane County and Fishtrap Lake in Lincoln County.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Olympia, 7 p.m., July 15, in Room 175A of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St., SE, to discuss all proposals.[/li][/ul]
[signature]