Leave the lake alone

Mr. Jim Vashro of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Fisheries) says that Flathead Lake has about 250,000 catchable size lake trout. I would like to know how Mr. Vashro knows this for a fact, or if is this nothing more than an estimated guess? Even so, could it be this is not a large number of fish considering the size of Flathead Lake? If it is the intent of the authorities (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Montana FWP) to reduce the trout population, why are we asked and expected to catch and release slot fish (Those 30 - 36 inches long) and yet the fishing tournaments such as the Mack Days allow for the unlimited slaughter of thousands of lake trout? The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have sponsored and sanctioned this senseless slaughter of over 4,300 lake trout this year, and it makes me wonder if their forefathers would have ever sanctioned such a destruction of our natural resource.

Lake trout have been in the Flathead Lake for over a hundred years, so how can they be called non native? Why can't the authorities leave our beautiful lake alone and let Mother Nature decide the future fish population of the lake? When you look at the recent history of the Flathead Lake it is a sad story when the so called experts attempt to change things. Is it possible we are heading toward another disaster similar to the loss of the Kokanee salmon? When was the last time a Kokanee was caught in Flathead Lake?

It is obvious there are many anglers who oppose any attempts to reduce the lake trout population in Flathead Lake. It is also unfortunate that authorities attempting to change our lake environment cannot be held accountable when serious mistakes are made. Why can't they leave our lake alone and hopefully it could become on of Montana's best sport fishing lakes.

Mack Attack! - too bad the fish can't shoot back!

Bill Bailey

Bigfork