Swan Lake Fish Sampling Program Coming Up This September

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Biologists will be sampling fish in Swan Lake this fall in an effort to assess and enumerate the non-native lake trout population in the lake.   Lake trout were first noted in the Swan drainage in 1998 and recent evidence indicates the population is growing rapidly.   These predacious fish threaten the popular bull trout and kokanee fishery in the lake.   Swan Lake is presently one of the few places in the nation where anglers can keep one bull trout per day.

 

The fish sampling in Swan Lake will take place over a three-week period in late September.   Large trap nets and short-set gill nets will capture fish alive for marking and release.   Subsequent returns of marked fish will allow biologists to estimate the number and size distribution of lake trout, allowing biologists to learn about their movements, growth rates, and habitat preferences in the lake. A select number of adult lake trout will also be radio-tagged to learn about fall spawning movements and locations.  

 

To sample the fish, biologists will use up to three trap nets, deployed on the bottom in deep water.   Long leads will steer fish into holding chambers in the trap nets and they will be checked daily.    Biologists will also use gill nets that will be checked regularly to reduce fish injury.   The goal of the sampling is to capture, mark, and release alive as many lake trout as possible, so that a population estimate can be achieved.   Boaters and others should watch for marker buoys and avoid the trapping areas, which will be rotating around the lake.   The boat ramp will be signed with information during this survey.

 

The lake trout study on Swan Lake is being conducted through a collaborative interagency effort under a collection permit issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.   This net sampling will be carried out by a contractor under the supervision of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (contact:   Wade Fredenberg, Creston Fish and Wildlife Center, 758-6872) and data analysis will be conducted by the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit from Montana State University.   Cooperators include Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bonneville Power Administration.   The cooperators urge anglers to sharpen their skills at fish identification and to report any lake trout caught in Swan Lake to FWP at 752-5501.

 

Future meetings with Swan Lake residents and angler interest groups will be held to answer any questions about the project.   Contact any of the parties in this news release for more information if interested in scheduling a presentation.   More information about the Swan Valley Bull Trout working Group and this project is available by clicking on “Swan Valley Bull Trout Working Group” information on the Montana Trout Unlimited website:   http://www.montanatu.org