A conversation with FWP's fisheries manager

In spring of 2014, Mark Delaray succeeded long-time Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region One fisheries manager Jim Vashro.  I recently sat down with Mark for this interview:

FT:  You’ve been in the fisheries manager hot seat for nearly two years.  How have your priorities changed since taking the job?

MD:  After working as a Flathead Lake biologist for 25 years, I had to come to terms that Flathead Lake is only one part of Region One.  I had to learn and dedicate my time to the entire region.

FT:  What is the No. 1 reason the public calls you or walks through your door?

MD:  One constant has been representatives of area sportsmen’s groups.  Each group has its own species of fish they represent.

FT:  Do you plan to introduce any new species? 

MD:  Not exactly, but last year we began re-introducing brook trout back into 10 lakes that formerly held them. These lakes were selected because there is no chance of escapement.  Hopefully they will provide some renewed fishing opportunities. We’re also rearing some Gerrard rainbows in the Murray Springs Hatchery to provide trophy trout fishing in Little Bitterroot Lake, Beaver Lake and Lake Koocanusa.

FT:  Is there a high mountain lake stocking program? 

MD:  You bet.  But don’t forget there are hundreds of lakes in Region One. The South Fork Cutthroat Project gave us the opportunity to study what happens when we vary stocking frequency and numbers of fish. We learned when we stock lots of fish, the fish stay smaller.  Fewer planted fish grow larger.  Popular places like Jewel Basin are stocked every three years.

FT:  Do you favor more or fewer regs?

MD:  Simpler is better! But we do also have to deal with the biology of individual waters.

FT:  How is the Department coping with budget constraints?

MD:  We have to prioritize.  We look closely at what we’re doing and see where we’re successful and where we could be more successful.  We try to spend responsibly to provide the best fishing opportunities.

FT:  If I gave you a bottle with a genie, what would you ask for?

MD:  Can I have two wishes?

FT:  Sure.                               

MD:  No. 1, I would wish we could get the angling community to come together.  Right now sportsmen’s groups are highly polarized. No. 2, I would wish we had the tools to turn back the clock on illegal introductions and those done unintentionally, but we thought were a good idea at that time. Both started back in the late 1800s but the Department’s introduction of mysis shrimp in the late l960s was not good.  For my wish, I’d pull back mysis. 

For the record, mysis shrimp were never planted into Flathead Lake.  They migrated downstream into Flathead Lake from plantings in Whitefish Lake, Swan Lake, and Ashley Lake. Mysis were also planted into Little Bitterroot Lake. 

Look for the conclusion of this interview next week.