Mountain lakes struggle

Last year’s long-lasting ice cap on high mountain lakes apparently caused winter kill in fisheries dear to the hearts and sore feet of hikers.

“We had reports of poor fishing in lakes like Pyramid in the Selkirks and in Five Lakes Butte area in the Bitterroots,” said Jim Fredericks, Idaho Fish and Game Department regional fisheries manager. Shallow lakes were hardest hit.

But even with budget cuts, fish stocking will continue in these remote waters, he said.

“The high lake program is relatively inexpensive because we can stock fry,” he said. “A lot of the stocking is done by volunteers on foot, and even where we stock by plane, such as the Mallard-Larkins, it’s relatively quick and cheap.”