Opinion: Kokanee regs need biology behind them

In early October, the Montana Fish and Game Commission will adopt fishing regulations for 2012-2015, effective March 1, 2012. In an effort to reduce the harvest of large kokanee salmon in Little Bitterroot Lake, the department has proposed reducing the current 10 kokes daily over 14 inches to two fish daily over 12 inches. Both limits are included in the 20 kokanee salmon per day limit on Little Bitterroot Lake.

I take issue with this proposal and do not support the reduced size and number harvest proposal.

It's no secret there's a growing group of anglers who are specifically targeting the bigger fish in deep water. They've got the gear and over-the-ice transportation, and they're willing to spend the time it takes to catch some very nice salmon.

For the record, I'm 0-3 on the above paragraph.

Does the fact some anglers aren't catching as many big ones as a few years ago mean the numbers are down? Maybe the "hot spots" just aren't hot anymore, and some prospecting is in order. Maybe numbers are down but not threatened. In this case, catching fewer fish will lead to loss of angler interest and resulting in reduced fishing pressure.

Lowering the big fish limit to two per day will lead to more high-grading and pooling within angling groups.

According to Jim Vashro, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 fisheries manager, the hatchery division has been crossing large LBL kokes with large LBL kokes for several years, but they still don't know if out-sizing is genetic or just learned behavior to eat the lake's abundant mysis shrimp.

When evidence points to genetics, then I would support efforts to reduce harvest of the bigger fish. Preserve enough viable spawners to sustain a fishable population. If eating mysis shrimp is learned behavior, then we may as well catch 'em ‘cause they're gonna die anyway.

I've also wondered about the survival rate of kokes hauled up quickly over 200 feet, allowed to flop around on the ice, then tossed back down the hole. If released fish are physiologically weakened, or even worse die, then which of the following scenarios make more sense - lying dead on the bottom of the lake or sizzling on the barbecue?

Until I see some solid biology behind this proposal, I can't support it.

A complete list of proposed fishing reg changes is available online at www.fwp.mt.gov, click on "Proposed Fishing Regulations Changes."