Field reports: Badger among lakes cited for rotenone treatment
FISHING – Badger Lake in Spokane County is among three lakes in Eastern Washington proposed by state fisheries biologists to be treated with rotenone, ridding the waters of various species so the lakes can be restocked with trout.
The Fish and Wildlife Department has set a public meeting on the proposal for 7 p.m. on July 31 at the city library, 610 First St. in Cheney.
Other trout management lakes proposed for “rehabilitation” are Spectacle Lake in Okanogan County and the Hampton and Grant County’s Pillar-Widgeon lakes.
Rotenone is a natural product commonly used to remove undesirable fish species from lakes and streams. It’s been approved and used for fisheries management for 70 years, department officials say.
A decision on the proposals will be made by the department director in early September.
Warm weather prompts angling restrictions
FISHING – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has set restrictions for fishing hours on several rivers due to lower flows and warmer temperatures that stress trout.
Fishing on portions of the Dearborn, Smith and Sun rivers, along with the Lower Madison and Upper Big Hole rivers, is prohibited from 2 p.m. to midnight until water temperatures drop below 73 degrees.
Avery pub-grill destroyed by fire
EATING – The St. Joe Pub and Grill along the St. Joe River, formerly the landmark Avery Trading Post, went up in flames in a fire that started around 1 a.m. on Tuesday.
Locals were able to prevent the huge blaze from spreading.
Junior Rifle Team sets open house
SHOOTING – The Spokane Junior Rifle Team, which has produced several Olympic team shooters over the years, is having an open house for youths interested in the shooting program, 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the Spokane Rifle Club, 6411 Aubrey L. White Parkway at the end of Rifle Club Road.
Coach Mike Furrer has helped develop an air rifle program to introduce youths to competitive marksmanship.
Info: (208) 819-6904.
Kettle Crest trail reconstruction underway
HIKING – Work on 10 miles of the Kettle Crest trail started last week and will continue through September, Colville National Forest officials said.
The trail will not be closed but caution is advised on the stretch from Deer Creek Summit (County Road 602- Boulder Deer Creek Highway) south to approximately the trail’s intersection with the Ryan Cabin and Big Lick trails.
Fire prompts closure of Clark Fork River
BOATING – A wildfire near Superior prompted Montana officials last week to close public access to the Clark Fork River from the Big Eddy fishing access site to the Forest Service Slowey Campground up from St. Regis until further notice.
Seven bighorns killed on Montana roads
DRIVING – Seven wild sheep were killed on western Montana highways last week, including bighorns that died in vehicle collisions near Bonner, Lower Rock Creek and East Fork Bitterroot River.