Lake Trout Management-Lake Louise Area

[Salmonman]

Ok guys here is the latest management information from the lead fisheries biologist for the Lake Louise area. The removal of the size restrictions on lake trout was only implemented 3 years ago. As well as the no bait Rule from April 15th through October 31st. From the statewide harvest surveys the Fish and game department believes it has helped reduce the overall impact on lake trout for the lake. There are no planned changes to this management plan in the near future. And there are no planned studies to how well the populations are doing in terms of numbers and average size of lake trout.

The best thing we can do in my opinion is educate people as to how sensitive lake trout are to overharvest. I know that if everyone passes on this information to people that fish out there it will help.

[Akhardwater]

Unfortunatly I think you are right Pat.  I don't think we should give up though with pressure from the public and a signed proposal F&G will eventually take notice.  It might take a few years but if that's what it takes then so be it.  If you remember the last time they changed the regs the biologist (I don't want to mention his name) actually came out and did angler surveys and sat and talked with us for awhile.  I like to think that our input helped in making the decision to go to single hook and no bait in the summer.  I do believe that public input will help we just need to be educated in our arguments so they appear viable to F&G.  I think in the next few years we will see a definite increase in fishing pressure on the Louise drainage and in order to keep up with the added pressure F&G will have to change their management plan.  Public outcry goes a long way.

[DannerAK]

Proposals to the board of fish is the only way to make the changes you seek.  Fish and Game does not make the rules, they simply enforce them.  The rules and regs are established through the board of fish process.  I certainly would support a C&R lake trout fishery in the Lake Louise drainage, and possibly statewide. 

[AlaskaOutdoorsmen]

....  I certainly would support a C&R lake trout fishery in the Lake Louise drainage, and possibly statewide.

I think this petition is a great first step in getting the ball rolling.  I agree that not only for the LL area but for other lakes as well and perhaps statewide.  Next step will be to find out the next board of fish meeting and have a large representation present to discuss our thoughts.  A signed petition with hundreds of signatures will most certainly carry some weight.

[DannerAK]

For the 2015-2016 cycle, proposals need to be submitted by April 10, 2015.  http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

[fishermanjake]

Also, we need petition ADF&G to reboot their lake trout stocking program.  With the two brand new fish hatcheries it should be easy for them.  That would take some pressure off the wild systems.

[DannerAK]

With the two brand new fish hatcheries it should be easy for them. 

Sorry for the minor hijack but...
Lake trout are not so easily produced in hatcheries.  It would require the harvest of a relatively large number of fish to obtain the eggs/milt to start up a stocking program.  I agree it would be great for a number of lakes to receive supplemental lake trout stocking, but it would be costly both monetarily and in fish stock from a chosen lake(s).  This brings up another contentious issue.  Which lake would people be OK with harvesting the fish to start the program; Louise, Long, Byers, Harding, Hidden? 

I don't think this is going to happen anytime soon, especially during the current state funding crisis.  So in my opinion, more conservative Lake Trout management is in order. 

[Akhardwater]

I would suggest in addition to a C&R fishery that closing all fishing during spawning time would be an absolute must.  I also think that implementing a lake trout stamp would help fund the management and enforcement of the new management plan.  It would have to be made universal for the whole state in order to generate enough revenue to make it worth while.  Basically if you want to fish lake trout anywhere in the state you must first purchase a stamp.  I would not hesitate to shell out ten bucks a year that would specifically go to lake trout management.

[JediMasterSalmonSlayer]

I have never harvested a lake trout, never plan on harvesting a lake trout in Alaska.

I caught my first lake trout in Alaska at North Twin Lake.

I have never planned or organized a ice fishing derby. I did support and provide donations to Paul Reed in 2011 and 2012 when he organized a "kids only" derby in the valley called "Getting Jiggy with It" for charity (Make a Wish) held at stocked lakes. I have only participated in ice fishng derby online here at ice shanty, although I have no objections to ice fishing derbies in general as long as they are held at locations with targeted fish populations stocked by ADF&G. 

I am not a regular at Lake Louise, and have limited personal experience about the lake trout population there.

I am not ashamed to be a sport fisherman that shares information and my experiences with others online, in person, or in print.

I believe in and encourage selective harvest and catch & release sport fishing with every species. I am support legal sport fishing. I also harvest and eat fish.   

[jkw]

I would like to see hidden lake on the KP go on the catch and release only list as well. Ill support the proposals listed.

[PikeSticker]

For the 2015-2016 cycle, proposals need to be submitted by April 10, 2015.  http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fisheriesboard.main

Something smells FISHY about this BOF schedule.  The UPPER COPPER/UPPER SUSITNA DRAINAGES region just had their BOF meeting during December 3 - 8, 2014 and issued a News Release on December 12, 2014 citing the few changes in the regulations that they approved to go into effect on April 15th, 2015.

BOF cycles are three years between meetings so it would not be possible for a Call for Proposals in 2015 for a BOF meeting next year in 2016 for this same region.  Someone should make personal contact with someone in the BOF group to confirm they don't have a typo and a wrong schedule listed or maybe give ADFG Tom Taub a call who is listed on the News Release linked below to get the straight skinny. Mark Somerville in the Glenallen ADFG office is also listed. 

I can't recall the process ever deviating from the 3 year cycle with the exception of a special petition to the Board for an out-of-cycle emergency consideration....which are almost never approved from what I have seen.

Here is the news release. http://www.klondikekid.com/adfg/CRPWS_BOF_NR141210.pdf

So the BOF page is contradicting their own process and rules for scheduling.  Unless I'm missing something here. ?? It appears someone may have used the old web page as a template for new information and overlooked the need to delete some things. Maybe.