Assessment of Bull Trout and Lake Trout Interactions in Flathead Lake, Montana 1998

Panel Conclusions:

1. Introduced species are causing the decline of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout and kokanee salmon in Flathead Lake.

2. There are two management scenarios, The lake could be managed as a lake trout-lake whitefish community, or the lake could be managed for restoration of the native species. the panel concluded that there is little chance that the native species could be sustained in the presence of abundant lake trout.

3. It is possible to control lake trout in order to restore bull trout to near 1980s levels by using entrapment gear on the spawning beds.

4. Any control program would have to continue indefinitely, but this is an area for experimental management with monitoring.

5. Only 7 of 12 panelists concluded that there is at least a 50 percent chance that the kokanee salmon population can be restored to 1980s levels if lake trout are reduced by 70-90%.

6. There is little chance that a change in angling regulations for lake trout will be sufficient to permit return of bull trout or other native species.

7. There is little chance that a sport fishery for lake trout can be retained if the native species are to be restored. There is some chance that the present fishery may not persist anyway.....either because the regulations are far too liberal or because there is a pulse of fish moving through the system and the system could stabilize at some lower level.

For more information see: Panel Report 1998. An assessment of Bull Trout and Lake Trout Interactions in Flathead Lake Montana.