Controversy over walleye continues

Fishermen, biologists, and concerned citizens gathered on Tuesday at the Thompson Falls Rural Fire Department headquarters to meet with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials to discuss an environmental assessment released by the FWP regarding the walleye population in Noxon Reservoir. The public meeting was called by the FWP to inform the public about the proposal which would aim to reduce the numbers of walleye in the reservoir.

The environmental assessment released by the FWP outlines details of the proposal that would utilize several methods to reduce the walleye population, considered an invasive, illegally introduced species that according to the state agency threatens native species and fisheries.

About 40 people attended the meeting, hosted by FWP biologists prepared to answer questions and concerns about the proposal. Consisting predominately of citizens opposed to the suppression of walleye, biologists attempted to explain the reasoning and rationale of the proposed action.

Reactions to the explanations supplied by FWP biologists were mixed. Many in attendance were anglers who enjoy fishing for walleye and repeatedly cited the economic value in sustaining the population of the fish. According to Arlyn Lemer, businessman and fisherman, anglers from around the region come specifically to Noxon Reservoir to fish for walleye and they spend money locally.

“FWP says it’s concerned about the impact of the walleye on other fisheries and the local economy. If you want to talk about the economy, let’s talk about all the money spent by people coming to fish for walleye. I’ll spend $200 a day here just on fuel for the boat. We plan our vacations around coming here. We have a lot of money invested here and Thompson Falls is going to lose all that money if they kill all the walleye,” said Lemer.

According to a rebuttal position paper received by the Valley Press and prepared by a group of concerned citizens called the Noxon Warm Water Fisheries Association, the figures and data used by the FWP are distorted to support their proposal. The paper cites the FWP’s own figures to support the NWWFA’s position. According to a study by the FWP, walleye numbers were down in 2012.

Biologists from the FWP have stated previously that the decrease in walleye numbers was due to a natural fluctuation and is not representative of future walleye populations. The NWWFA rebuttal paper said that the figures demonstrate that “it is purely speculative to suggest that walleye are reaching a threshold of rapid expansion.”

FWP fisheries biologist Kenneth Breidinger said that while the numbers do fluctuate, “we can’t base our figures on the results from one year. We use additional information before we identify a trend. We are looking at 12 years of data to identify population trends.”

The NWWFA is a recently formed non-profit organization whose purpose is to support and promote the responsible management of warm water fisheries in Montana. The NWWFA has engaged a professional biologist to examine the scientific data contained within the FWP’s proposal.

The FWP also asserts that the walleye will have a negative effect on existing fisheries including native species. According to the environmental assessment and based on case histories, “walleye in Noxon Reservoir pose a significant threat to desirable sport and native fish including largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and numerous trout species.”

The rebuttal from the NWWFA contends, “past attempts to establish trout fisheries within the reservoir clearly show that habitat conditions within the Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids reservoirs are not conducive to producing fishable numbers of salmonids.”

Primary among the concerns voiced by anglers is the need for further study to determine the viability of walleye suppression, and the potential adverse affects of reducing the population.

Also among the concerns of the NWWFA were the potential misallocation of valuable FWP resources and the requirement of the Montana Environmental Policy Act that alternatives be considered. MEPA, passed by the legislature in 1971, includes “provisions requiring thoughtful, informed, and deliberate consideration of the consequences and impacts of state actions” and “significantly expanded the public right to participate in the decisions of government.”

According to Breidinger the allocation of resources to suppress the walleye is necessary to prevent an invasive species from damaging other fisheries.

“The walleye pose a serious threat to the bass and perch population,” said Breidinger.

According to Scott Muller, secretary of the NWWFA and a former biologist, “ We don’t feel suppression is necessary. The walleye are not hurting other species to a degree that would require killing them. We are questioning the science. It needs to be studied further.”

According to Muller, a critical element of the NWWFA’s position is an official request to extend the comment period for an additional 90 days to, “allow us and others to review the proposal and supporting documents and studies thoroughly to enable thoughtful and substantive comment.”

Muller went on to say, “it’s a waste of effort and resources to sacrifice what could be a very healthy fishery. I’d rather see them spend the money elsewhere.”

According to Lemer, NWWFA treasurer, “you can make the stats say whatever you want. Their data says that bass numbers are up and walleye numbers are down. Their own information doesn’t support this proposal. I think the people of Sanders County deserve better from the FWP.”

Reached for comment, Breidinger said, “we are taking into account public comment. The decision makers will consider substantive public comment before a decision is made. If it’s approved we will start immediately.” The period of time for public consideration ends on March 29. After that, the decision will be made by FWP Regional Manager Jim Satterfield on whether to move forward with the effort to suppress walleye in the Noxon Reservoir.