Tunnel Lake Fisheries Treatment Proposed

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Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a proposal to treat Tunnel Lake, along the Rocky Mountain Front, and a tributary stream this spring with rotenone. The project would remove an expanding white sucker population, allowing FWP to restock the lake with hatchery westslope cutthroat trout and transplanted Arctic grayling.

This action will provide a better growing environment for westslope cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling to improve recreational angling opportunity, say FWP fisheries biologists. Netting surveys conducted when white suckers were absent or in very low numbers indicate Tunnel Lake can produce cutthroat trout up to 17 inches in length.

Tunnel Lake is a natural pothole lake, comprising 14.1 surface acres that receives water seepage from the Pishkun Supply Canal. It’s about 20 miles southwest of Choteau.

Historically, Tunnel Lake has provided quality recreational angling for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and Artic grayling. Rotenone was used in Tunnel Lake in 1956 and 1968 to remove sucker populations. Survival and growth of stocked rainbow and cutthroat trout have been very poor in recent years.

The EA is available for viewing online at: <http://fwp.mt.gov/publicnotices/notice_1652.aspx>

For a printed copy, contact George Liknes at (406) 454-5855. Submit an y comments related to this project to the address or email below by April 4, 2008.

Tunnel Lake EA

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

PO Box 733

Choteau, MT 59422

dyerk@mt.gov