Pursuing solutions to protect kokanee

Declining rates of kokanee salmon in the Flaming Gorge Reservoir is an ongoing concern, and local fishery managers in the Wyoming Game and Fish Department want to start taking action to address the problem.

Green River Fisheries Biologist John Walrath and Regional Fishery Supervisor Robert Keith have been working to gather public input and work on solutions when it comes to protecting the kokanee. They hosted open houses last fall, including a well-attended gathering in Green River. During these open houses they explained that the kokanee salmon population in the Gorge has been declining significantly, and the evidence suggests that the main reason is predation by lake trout, particularly small lake trout under 28 inches.

As a follow-up to the previous meetings, Walrath and Keith hosted another round of open houses this month to present updated information on options for the Gorge.

During an open house in Rock Springs on February 5, Keith explained that they were initially worried about facing pushback on suggesting that the lake trout population in the Gorge needs to be controlled.

"Much to our surprise, it was the opposite," Keith said, explaining that not only were people on board, but many people were concerned Game and Fish is moving too slowly in addressing the problem.

"It seemed like the public was overwhelmingly supportive of taking action," Walrath said.

After listening to concerns and ideas, Keith and Walrath have started the process of moving forward and working on proposals.

The first step was to present data and public input to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission during the commission's January meeting. Keith and Walrath also provided management recommendations, including opening chapter 46, which is where all fishing regulations are housed, so that regulation changes can be made. The commission unanimously approved their recommendations.

Proposed changes to regulations are currently being drafted, which include changing creel limits, designating lake trout as a nongame fish and allowing unlimited harvest of small lake trout.

The change to the creel limit would specify that of the four fish allowed per day or in possession, no more than three should be kokanee salmon. This change was requested by members of the public, and the idea behind it is that it would leave more adults for spawning.

Reclassifying lake trout as a nongame species and allowing unlimited harvest of small lake trout under 28 inches would provide anglers the opportunity to reduce the number of small lake trout in the Gorge to help bring the fishery back into balance, Walrath explained.

Other proposed changes include some changes to wording in regulations to have consistency across state lines, as well as making reciprocal fishing stamps valid for 365 days from the purchase date instead of just through the calendar year.

While proposed regulation changes could help the fishery and the kokanee salmon population, other actions may still need to be taken as well.

"We're concerned anglers alone might not be able to have a large enough impact," Walrath said.

The possibility of a net removal program for lake trout is also still being discussed. Walrath anticipated that netting efforts will start in the fall of this year using department personnel while larger commercial options are pursued.

Another possibility is to change stocking strategies for kokanee. Stocking in the evening could help reduce bird predation and give kokanee more time to swim out to deeper waters. Stocking all the kokanee in one spot could also help cut down on predation by other fish like lake trout by overwhelming the predators.

While plans are starting to be put into motion, the public is encouraged to share their opinions.

The official public comment period on the proposed regulation changes will be open from April 18 to June 10. However, Keith noted that it's also important to get public feedback now while the regulations are being developed and there is more "wiggle room" to make changes.

Walrath also pointed out that they want to hear from everyone, both those who support and oppose the ideas.

"It's really important to hear both sides," he said.

The proposals will be presented to the Game and Fish commission in July for final approval or denial. If approved, the changes would go to the Governor for approval, and then would go into effect on October 1.