Unwanted invaders are a danger to Idaho’s fisheries. Here’s how anglers can help
Ninety-nine percent of the time, this column is a positive space. Fishing is all about adventure and fun, and I enjoy sharing its many gifts with readers.
But today, a not-so-fun topic is on my mind. And I hope writing about it can, in some small way, help our angling community better understand an issue that impacts us all:
Idaho’s fisheries have an invasive species problem.
This issue isn’t new or unique to our state, but two recent examples — the discovery of quagga mussels in the Snake River and the increasing number of walleye showing up where they shouldn’t — highlight the growing concern.
Tiny Invaders Pose a Big Threat
Quagga mussels are bad, bad news. They are prolific breeders that wreak havoc when they show up in ecosystems where they don’t belong. A full-scale infestation would have devastating consequences, as the mussels damage irrigation equipment, hydroelectric infrastructure, docks and more. If they do establish in the Snake, controlling them will cost untold millions — and we will likely never be rid of them.
Quaggas also negatively impact fish growth rates and exacerbate harmful blue-green algae blooms.
With those stakes as the backdrop, state agencies acted decisively when quaggas were discovered near Twin Falls in early October, closing and treating a 6-mile stretch of the river with chelated copper to destroy the mussels. Unfortunately, the treatment also killed lots of fish, including sturgeon. And while gamefish mortality appears to have been moderate this time around, the thousands of dead carp, suckers and pikeminnow provide a grim harbinger of what could happen to the Snake River’s world-class bass, trout, catfish and sturgeon fisheries if the mussels spread.
Quagga invasions are usually human-caused. The mussels adhere to boats and hitch a ride to new waterways when owners neglect to properly clean, drain and dry their vessels. Sadly, this invasion was likely preventable. Let’s hope the treatment proves effective.
Misplaced Fish Cause Big Problems
In recent years, reports of walleye showing up where they shouldn’t have become increasingly common.
First the Snake River near Swan Falls Dam, then Lake Cascade. This fall, an Idaho Fish and Game survey found more than 30 walleye in the Lake Lowell outlet canal.
Walleye management is an oft-debated topic in Idaho. Some anglers are anti-walleye, fearing the impact these fish-eating predators might have on bass, panfish and salmonid populations. Others would prefer to see more walleye fisheries — these fish are popular throughout the country, especially as table fare.
A recent Fish and Game article said it best: Walleye aren’t bad fish, they just don’t mix well with (most) Idaho fisheries. IDFG manages for walleye in three lakes, but asks that anglers kill and report any walleye caught elsewhere.
The agency’s reasoning comes down to risk. Is there a chance walleye could integrate into fisheries and coexist with other species? Maybe. But there’s a stronger chance — and historical data to back it — that walleye could harm existing fish populations and eventually leave a lake dominated by stunted, unhealthy walleye.
For comparison, think of Horsethief Reservoir. Years ago, someone illegally transplanted perch there, likely hoping they would grow to trophy size like they do in nearby Cascade. Instead, the perch overpopulated, stunted and ruined the trout fishery, to the point where Fish and Game had no choice but to kill all the fish and start over — a heartbreaking but necessary move.
Anglers Play a Key Role
What can we do to help? Quite a bit, actually. As outdoor recreators, we have a responsibility to follow the rules. By cleaning, draining, drying and inspecting our boats, we can help keep our waters free of dangerous species like quagga mussels. And when state agencies close access, we need to respect those closures — inconvenient as they may seem — to help protect the long-term health of the environment.
Anglers also need to stop illegally moving fish from one waterway to another, which is almost certainly how walleye keep popping up. It’s time for anglers to take a serious, zero-tolerance stance on moving live fish, however harmless it seems.
I understand that it might be cool to imagine a new fishing opportunity in your favorite pond, lake or river. But those decisions ultimately belong to Fish and Game, and anglers can voice their opinions through public involvement.
It’s a tough job, but I think Fish and Game gets it right most of the time. And even when management practices fail to produce the desired result, the agency’s decisions are backed by scientific research and data. When it comes to walleye, I would rather err on the side of caution and protect the quality fishing we have today than risk finding out Fish and Game’s worst fears were justified. By then, it would be too late.
If you love the great outdoors, Idaho ranks as one of the best states to live in. Let’s all step up do our part to keep it that way — and preserve our fisheries for many generations to come. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures and questions with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com, or visit www.tightlines208.com for the latest local fishing reports and upcoming class offerings.
