Spokesman Review article on Kalispell Tribe and Northern pike

[AJ's Dad]

Here's another round of Kalispell Tribe -VS- Northern Pike. I can't tell you who will win, but I'll bet I can tell you who will lose out. Those of us that love Pike fishing.


Kalispell Tribe calls Pend Oreille pike ‘disaster’ to native fisheries


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Posted by Rich
Aug. 30, 2011 7:11 a.m. • 2 comments




INVASIVE FISHERIES — The Kalispell Tribe's top Fish and Wildlife official called it like he sees it in a presentation on the invasion of northern pike into the Pend Oreille River. He was speaking this month to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Deane Osterman, the tribe’s executive director for Natural Resources, said that the introduction of northern pike to Box Canyon Reservoir has quickly become “a long-term disaster to our native fisheries.”

A story by the Columbia Basin Bulletin detail's Osterman's presentation and reasoning behind the Northeast Washington tribe's effort to turn back a wave of invasive northern pike that has devastated local fish populations. Joining the concern of state and federal biologist, Osterman warns that other areas of the Columbia River basin could suffer the same consequence — and salmon and steelhead runs could be impacted.

Referring to the Columbia's confluence with the Okanogan River, he said;

“That particular piece of water is ideal as well” for nonnative pike to flourish, Osterman said. If pike got a foothold there, they very well could tarnish salmon recovery investments made by the Bonneville Power Administration and channeled through the Council to the Colville Tribes. BPA funds the NPCC’s Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program as mitigation for impact of the federal Columbia-Snake river hydro system on fish and wildlife.

[Mark K]

Here's another round of Kalispell Tribe -VS- Northern Pike. I can't tell you who will win, but I'll bet I can tell you who will lose out. Those of us that love Pike fishing.


Kalispell Tribe calls Pend Oreille pike ‘disaster’ to native fisheries


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Posted by Rich
Aug. 30, 2011 7:11 a.m. • 2 comments




INVASIVE FISHERIES — The Kalispell Tribe's top Fish and Wildlife official called it like he sees it in a presentation on the invasion of northern pike into the Pend Oreille River. He was speaking this month to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Deane Osterman, the tribe’s executive director for Natural Resources, said that the introduction of northern pike to Box Canyon Reservoir has quickly become “a long-term disaster to our native fisheries.”

A story by the Columbia Basin Bulletin detail's Osterman's presentation and reasoning behind the Northeast Washington tribe's effort to turn back a wave of invasive northern pike that has devastated local fish populations. Joining the concern of state and federal biologist, Osterman warns that other areas of the Columbia River basin could suffer the same consequence — and salmon and steelhead runs could be impacted.

Referring to the Columbia's confluence with the Okanogan River, he said;

“That particular piece of water is ideal as well” for nonnative pike to flourish, Osterman said. If pike got a foothold there, they very well could tarnish salmon recovery investments made by the Bonneville Power Administration and channeled through the Council to the Colville Tribes. BPA funds the NPCC’s Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program as mitigation for impact of the federal Columbia-Snake river hydro system on fish and wildlife.

I don't even know where to begin with these guys. Pike are there to stay and they know it! Why they don't make the best of it I don't know. I'm sure it boils down to money somewhere along the line. They could be liberal with the number of smaller Pike (26" and under) anglers harvest and allow unlimited harvest. The mid sized Pike (27-37") should be protected to promote a better quality fishery. And finally they could allow 1 fish a day limit per person over that slot. This would protect the quality of the fishery there, and it would thin the herd of the smaller fish.

The numbers show about 4,000 angler hours spent on the river per year up there before the Pike, and 76,000 angler hours per year after the pike showed up. It doesn't make sense that the Kalispels don't want people up there spending their money so there just has to be more to this than meets the eye. Where are they benefiting from not having this unique fishery there? Who knows.

And lets not even mention the Tribes LMB Hatchery! If the tribe was "really" concerned with the Cutthroat fishey they wouldn't be releasing their own NON NATIVE predators into the river every year.

They can use excuse after excuse as far as why trout fishing on the river has declined but the fact is it was in TROUBLE long before the Pike were close to Box Canyon.

Unfortunately AJ's Dad you are correct. The tribe will do what they want to do, and us fisherman that are spending our money up there will be the losers. Our opinion does not matter to them.

[YJ Guide Service]

Good points Aj's Dad and Mark. I think we need to rally the troops again. I heard they were also pushing the evasive species classification as well...I would like to know which piece of water is ideal habitat that they were talking about? The PO River is good habitat as we all know, but the Columbia River not so much. What part of the Columbia is prime habitat? The water levels are dropped every year dramatically and I havent seen many areas where the water is super shallow,warm and weedy without current. They arent worried about Long Lake and the Pike in there because they know the habitat isnt there. The biologist have told us that they felt the fish in there were not reproducing very well so there wasnt a concern. We keep hearing from the Tribe and the State that they know they cant get rid of the Pike so at what point does everyone finally accept the facts and move on. Lets figure out how to manage what is there, not what the state thinks should live there. Doesnt seem to matter what they do as they remove fish more are bound to find there way back here from Noxon MT. This is not a case of someone illegally planting these fish this is nature doing what she wants and the fish migrating to better waters. Ever notice when we try to change nature most the time things dont work out well for everyone or everything involved. Why not figure out a way to keep the fish that are here in the river from going any farther, figure out a way to make sure they dont make it past Boundry Dam. I noticed in the article about the Pike caught in Riverfront Park that everyone wasnt all freaked out about that fish, just what a great fight it put up and how many guys it took to land it. I think we have all heard the arguements on the pros and cons of the Pike, but now its time for WDFW and the Kalispels as well as the public to face the facts and come up with a management plan. I wish they would spend the time and money on figureing out how to contain the Pike not how to remove what they cant remove. Its like thinking you can filter the rivers water, not going to happen. This subject has and will be a hot topic till something that makes sense is put in place. We need to quit trying to bring back species that arent going to survive in a river that isnt the same as it was in the 50's, we have dams now and the river is now more of a lake than a river most of the year. This whole thing is about money not about native species. What species are actually native to the river? Largemouth Bass arent. I remember a few years back when the tribe was promoteing the Pike since they thought it would bring revenue to PO County and the Tribe. What happened? I think the Pike are a good fit and bring revenue to PO County and the state. I'm done ranting now LOL...Good fishing everyone and remember put them big fish back...

[sparky1doug]

Its amazing how well informed the fisherman are to the issue of "Pike In the Pend Oreille". When the round of meetings took placed last spring we were told they would keep us informed and involved in the process of "studying" the Pike population. Has that happened? Not yet. It is more than likely true that this is a money issue, money dedicated to returning native runs to the Pend Oreille. How is it possible to return the original cold water species to a now warm water habitat? Well it doesn't take a professor in aquatic biology to figure that one out. The 2009 agreement that was signed with the tribe pledges hundreds of millions of dollars to restore their native fisheries, heck of a deal they got. They must have some great lawyers. Don't get me wrong, they do deserve compansation for lost lands and game. But the return of salmon, steelhead, north slope cutthroat and bulltrout to the Pend Oreille is a futile effort. About as futile as trying to irradicate the Northern Pike. Once again would the WDFW please listen to our concerns and speak of the real issues not scare tactics. My hope is that the fishing community and WDFW can work hand in hand to find viable solutions to managing the Northern Pike. I don't care for confontation. In the end we will all pay the bill for whatever happens on the river. It might be higher power bills to pay the power companies portion of the 2009 agreement or higher paper prices to honor the paper companies share. How about higher taxes for construction of fish ladders on both dams or increased license fees to support WDFW in their efforts. In the end the public, you and me will pay the bill. That is the very reason why we should have a say, be involved and have an educated opinion.

[kevinb]

This is an issue that I've been following very closely for a few years,like many of you as well. It certainly raises questions over motives. I'm briefly familiar that Oregon and British Columbia have in some form put pressure on Washington state,to exactly what extant? Not sure and I don't want to put anyone's name up. Its interesting that the tribe wants to promote native species and also has a largemouth bass hatchery. Seems a bit hypocritical to promote one non native species and declare war on another. I can only think that its a small part of the limitless misinformation about northern pike. If any of these measures should be put into effect,it won't be the tribe paying for anything,just our tax dollars either on a state or federal level or both. I share in the opinions above,the northerns are here,so manage it properly and make some money in the process. I really hope that some form of a compromise can be reached. I would also hope that fellow pike anglers
stay informed on this topic and work together. Its important to be proactive and not reactive. If anyone happens to hear of any future meetings,please share. I'd love to dive into this topic further but its already been a long week and its only Tuesday.
Hope to see many of you this weekend.

[Mark K]

When the round of meetings took placed last spring we were told they would keep us informed and involved in the process of "studying" the Pike population. Has that happened? Not yet.

Nope. Big surprise. The Kalispels have not released any of their "studies" (studies = professional way of saying eradication). It looks like a lot of this talk lately is just the tribe. We haven't heard from WDFW in a while. My hope is WDFW will finally just make the best of what they have been dealt. These fish AREN'T going anywhere!! WDFW has been put in a tough spot. With these fish naturally migrating downstream from Montana is it worth fighting this losing battle every single year from here on out? Eventually you gotta think it's not.

[Mark K]

How is it possible to return the original cold water species to a now warm water habitat? Well it doesn't take a professor in aquatic biology to figure that one out.

Very good question Doug!! That's something I've been asking but never get a straight answer for. Another thing I find funny is the tribe has a LMB hatchery. A NON NATIVE PREDATOR fish that they release into the river every year. Why is this not discussed when trying to protect the NATIVE fish?

[kevinb]

When the round of meetings took placed last spring we were told they would keep us informed and involved in the process of "studying" the Pike population. Has that happened? Not yet.

Nope. Big surprise. The Kalispels have not released any of their "studies" (studies = professional way of saying eradication). It looks like a lot of this talk lately is just the tribe. We haven't heard from WDFW in a while. My hope is WDFW will finally just make the best of what they have been dealt. These fish AREN'T going anywhere!! WDFW has been put in a tough spot. With these fish naturally migrating downstream from Montana is it worth fighting this losing battle every single year from here on out? Eventually you gotta think it's not.

Sure it is, then they can stop the waterflow from Lake Pend Oreille. Where will they divert it to? Who knows....who cares. They won't be paying for it

[Mark K]

When the round of meetings took placed last spring we were told they would keep us informed and involved in the process of "studying" the Pike population. Has that happened? Not yet.

Nope. Big surprise. The Kalispels have not released any of their "studies" (studies = professional way of saying eradication). It looks like a lot of this talk lately is just the tribe. We haven't heard from WDFW in a while. My hope is WDFW will finally just make the best of what they have been dealt. These fish AREN'T going anywhere!! WDFW has been put in a tough spot. With these fish naturally migrating downstream from Montana is it worth fighting this losing battle every single year from here on out? Eventually you gotta think it's not.

Sure it is, then they can stop the waterflow from Lake Pend Oreille. Where will they divert it to? Who knows....who cares. They won't be paying for it

But if they stop the water flow they would lose all those Bass they raised!:-({|=

[AJ's Dad]

The bottom line here is that this is a "Dollars and Cents" issue. Nearly every writeup you see mentions the amount of money being spent to save the salmon, and how the pike "May" effect the salmon fishing industry. In the Pacific Northwest, Salmon = money and jobs. Jobs created by recreational fishing, commercial fishing, hatchery jobs, fishery management jobs, tackle sales, guide services. The list can go on and on. It is understandable when they express concern that the pike could impact the salmon fishery, but to what extent, nobody knows. I would challenge the WDFW or the Kalispel Tribe to post the numbers of trout, especially Bull Trout that have been found in the stomachs of the pike they have "Studied" in the POR. The last number I heard was somewhere around 2. Now I may be wrong about that or the person I heard it from may have been wrong but at this point it doesn't sound like pike depend on trout for their healthy diet. I believe what is really scaring them is not that the Bull Trout will become non existant in the POR. I don't think there is anything they can do to fix that any way. It sounds like the water temps there are now warmer than is condusive to that species thriving. What is scaring them is the possibility of the Hydro Electric companies pulling out the dollars they spend every year trying to enhance the salmon populations. If I remember right from the meeting I attended, it's calculated to be in the "HUNDREDS of MILLIONS" over the next 20 years or so. As far as the pike naturally migrating to the POR from Montana, they are. How they got into Montana is a diffrent story (un naturally). Until you start seeing Northern Pike on the menu at your favorite resturaunt, I think you will see continued efforts to elliminate them from the POR. I don't see them ever being able to completely eradicate the pike from the POR. If they did, the pike would eventually make their way in there again the same way they did this time. Efforts do need to be made to limit the population of pike, and I honestly think that promoting the fish from a recreational stand point can go a long way to help. Advertise the fishery like they do in Canada Minnesota, and Wiosconsin. Encourage angler to come here to fish for them and encourage anglers to retaian more fish from their catches. I personally don't eeat fish but I hear pike are good eating. If the info above, from Mark K. related to angler hours spent on the POR is correct, just think how many hours would be spent by bringing in more out of state fishermen, and women, to experience this wonderful fishery. More anglers = more dollars. Isn't that what they are worried about anyway? Happy Fishing Folks

[YJ Guide Service]

In a article put out by the Northwest Sportsman the Kalispels spokesman uses the word ERATICATE. We kept hearing at the meetings that they arent using that word, sure seems that they are now....Time to rally the troops boys...I think we need some answers...

[AJ's Dad]

The words we were hearing at the meetings were words of deception and postponement. By that I mean they didn't outright lie. They said plain and simple, if they could elliminate the pike from the POR they would do it. They will never completely wipe them out but they can and they will deminish the pike population to the point that it will not be worth persuing them in the POR. They said "We are going to study them" and they are. They are studying them so they can figure out a faster better way to elliminate them. We are setting the same amount of nets as we did last year. We are just setting them out in a broader area of the reservoir to get a better idea of where they are. My guess is that those are the words of postponement I was referring to. Same amount of nets, same amount of time they are set out, for now that is. I believe that before long we will see their gill nets in the river as long as there is no ice on it. In this case, the voice of the people may be heard but it will not be considered valid input. Remember, these are educated people. They know what's best for us, don't they? We were also told at the meetings that neither the Kalispels nor the state could afford to spend the money to attempt eradicate the pike. Watch the dollars get spent as they find a way to use the Power Company money to do just that. The more I read of these articles, the more I wonder how interested the state of Washington really would have been with this issue without pressure from the tribe. These are the words from the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife News Bulletin. "Northeast Washington’s Kalispel Tribe has mounted an effort to turn back a wave of invasive northern pike that has devastated local fish populations and warns that other areas of the Columbia River basin could suffer the same consequence".
Decide for your self but as for me, I think our opinions do not matter.

[YellowBear]

If you want to save this fishery you will need to unite the fishing community.
You will need help from all groups. Bass and Walleye clubs carry a lot of clout but according to the WDFW Trout are #1 in this State. LOL!

[Natebg1]

Hello Fellow Pike Angler,

Well after sitting back and seeing all the information being posted on this subject it is certainly good to see that there are those who are not willing to just go quietly into the night on this matter. I guess non of us should be shocked that the main thing driving this is "Money" it just blows my mind that in a period where economics is such a vital part of life today that more options aren't being explored on the Pike subject. Let's look at the overall Pike community between Washington and Idaho from a Money standpoint, now let's consider the same numbers against Bass and maybe Walleye. Put those numbers into play and I would venture to say that Pike Fishing fairs as well as Bass or Walleye in the Washington State region from an economic statistic. Obviously nothing can even come close to the Salmon and Trout Fishing, but to just add in another species to the mix for a minute such as the Pike would just help the overall revenue within Washington. More people would spend money on lures and gear for Pike, they would fill up more Resorts within the local community, they would use gas to travel, grocery stores and outdoor stores for camping gear, Restaurants for eating unless of course enough small Pike were caught from letting the Big Girls Go so that a nice fish fry could be enjoyed! Putting all this into perspective, the State of Washington could more than likely do very well, and could have a huge impact on many communities that need every bit of help they can get right now. I can tell You I have certainly paid my fair share to help out the communities around the Pend Oreille River by staying at the Resorts, eating at the local Restaurants, purchasing Gas for both my vehicle and my boat and I will continue to do so just for the opportunity to catch more Pike on the Pend Oreille. Yes, I may live in the Seattle region, but I will not stop supporting the cause and I will standby 100% with all the other Pike Anglers and Say "POWER TO THE PIKE"!!! So as Jerry Mcguire says "Who's coming with me"? Let's keep this going and let's not stop with becoming more educated on this matter. There may be those who want nothing to do with us and don't want to listen but sometimes all it takes is being a little smarter and louder than the person speaking!!! As long as politics is in place then I am willing to play the game and am willing to figure out every legal loophole to protect the Pike Fishery on the Pend Oreille!!! As I have said before, if You pay for a fishing license in the State of Washington then there is NO Reason why Your voice shouldn't be heard. Remember Your money pays for State Organizations to have jobs to regulate what we all fish for and when we fish for particular species. Without the purchasing of these license there wouldn't even be these issues to begin with, so I would hope that State Organizations would remember You and I ALL hold the power to stand tall and speak for what we expect and want for the fisheries that we all enjoy! Enough with being pushed around like we don't matter and Enough with not being given straight forward answers. Anglers from many different perspectives are sick of the way there opinions and ideas are basically brushed under the carpet, this doesn't just go for Pike Anglers!!! I fish with Salmon anglers, Bass Anglers, Walleye Anglers, Muskie Anglers and many others and everyone of them says the same thing, they are Sick and Tired of all the rules, regulations and political rhetoric that is implemented into Fishing every year. Yes, things do need to be managed, but do they really need to be Micro Managed. When things need to be Micro Managed it means one thing, Control has been lost!!! Remember nothing is ever accomplished by just letting others make decisions for us, we should all have a vote and be given a chance to express what we want and expect!!! Every licensed angler should have the right to put a vote forward for implementing or dropping laws, rules and regulations when it comes to fishing, it is how business is conducted in the Mid-West, you can read it for yourself it's in one of the last editions of Muskies Inc Magazine. Well I am done for now, but I will continue to stay on top of this subject and help where I can! I look forward to seeing what the Future holds with such a strong backing from the Pike Community and Fishing Community as a whole!!! Tight Lines

Nate