Fish biologists studying lake trout in Priest Lake | News

State biologists are embarking on a comprehensive study of lake trout residing in northern Idaho's Priest Lake.

The research should help policy makers with long-term management of fishery.

The Bonner County Daily Bee reports that Idaho Department of Fish and Game is working with the University of Idaho and the Kalispel Tribe to estimate the population and track growth and survival rates.

Historically, upper and lower Priest lakes were popular sport fisheries for native cutthroat trout and bull trout. Kokanee were introduced in the 1930s and over time became the most popular fish for anglers.

But lake trout numbers exploded in the 1980s with the introduction of Mysis shrimp. The lake trout surge caused problems for other species and spurred a decline in sport fishing on the lake.