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COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A tribe is implementing a temporary bounty on northern pike as it studies cutthroat trout predators.
starting Oct. 1, the tribe will pay anglers for the first 1,000 northern pike caught on the southern portion of Lake Coeur d'Alene and turned in at a Heyburn State Park Headquarters check station, the Coeur d'Alene Press reported (http://bit.ly/1VdPpR3).
Tribe spokeswoman Heather Keen said the Catch for Cash program was created to enlist anglers in gathering more data on the impact of a growing northern pike population in the southern portion of the lake. The program could be extended after May.
"As an angler, you can play a role in helping us to gather critical information on pike behavior," said Angelo Vitale, fisheries manager for the Tribe.
Tribe fisheries manager Angelo Vitale says this information on pike behavior is critical.
"Ultimately, we hope to use the data collected to better manage the fisheries populations in the lake and reduce the impact of pike on native species such as the cutthroat trout, as well as other game fish such as the yellow perch and kokanee," he said.
North Idaho Pike Association chairman Brock Morrow says the tribe overstepped its authority by including water where Idaho claims jurisdiction. His group has been helping with the research.
"Our concern is not necessarily about the species of the fish or the pike being targeted. We understand that," he said. "And if it was being done solely on tribal waters we would be OK with that too."
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is also assisting in the research. Fisheries Manger Andy Dux said the tribe is discussing the program with state wildlife officials next week.
"Hopefully we'll figure out a way to collaborate on this," he said.
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Information from: Coeur d'Alene Press, http://www.cdapress.com
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