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Are Brook trout wider spread now? Possibly have to do with hybridization?
In regards to the stocking of Bull Trout, Why not just stock Walleye?
I had the same thought and looked into the brook trout stocking...exponential ly more brook trout are being and have been planted over the decades. And that seems strange, since the most recent stocking is in Georgetown which, correct me if I'm wrong, drains into the Clark Fork via Flint Creek? That seems inherently deleterious to the goal of reviving bull trout populations...planting a non-native char into a system with native bulls. I'm not sure how adding another piscivorous competitor would benefit the bull trout population?
In regards to the stocking of Bull Trout, Why not just stock Walleye? From what I have read and observed, both of these species live primarily on other fish. Bull Trout (DOLLY VARDEN) can have quite an impact on Brook Trout populations when they are in the same water system. Just saying
I am no fisheries biologist, but according to info from Wikipedia:“Most populations of the northern Dolly Varden (S. m. malma) are semi-anadromous, while more fluvial and lacustrine populations are found among the southern Dolly Varden (S. m. lordi).”
Does anyone find it Plausable, that there are some within the system who don’t want Bulls recovered? Then those folks won’t have as much say over regulations, long term plans, other “native” species, etc...
It’s all about the habitat and what is in it. Bull trout need clean, cold water without the presence of brook trout and predators. Stocking can be used as a tool to enhance a location that may be able to support a self-sustainable population. Case in point is Grace Lake in Glacier Park that was stocked with bull trout eggs from another nearby lake. There is a waterfall that acts as a barrier for lake trout getting into Grace Lake.
No, the issue is how and what measures would it take. Just stocking will not work because the same forces that have reduced numbers would not allow stockers to make it either.
The 3 c's: Clean, Cold, Connected.
You cannot imagine my jollies when I hear there is a climate change meeting somewhere in the world. I laugh at how many naturalist gas it to the airports, load up a monster jetliner flight to whatever country, taxi to the hotel and hit the streets and protest against petroleum.
My position is the Bull trout and cutthroat are still there. I catch them not by targeting but by fishing. I have been to Koocanusa fishing for rainbow and catch 3 times as many bull than rainbow. The same with Hungary Horse, Flathead River, Swan Lake and other places.
Any giants? Hard to beat a big bull on a fly rod
Monsters! But I will warn you, using a fly rod will get you in trouble. With the sissy tipits you play them too long and being the sissy fish that they are, they die. Here is an article of the troublesome regs to that species. https://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_ae1e9361-6e12-52b7-8130-e1da64cb8c73.htmlToo bad for those sportsmen.