Agency won't use pesticide to remove fish

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is bowing out of a plan to purge northern pike from waters in the Eureka area, at least for now.

The agency released a draft environmental assessment last August that proposed removing pike from Bass Lake and Mud Creek near Eureka by applying a toxin, rotenone, and then restocking the lake with westslope cutthroat trout. Northern pike had been introduced to the lake illegally.

Based on subsequent negative comments received from the public, the agency is backing off on the plan. Instead, over the two years, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will involve local landowners in exploring alternative pike suppression methods, including electrofishing, netting and trapping.

After the two-year period, a long-term management plan will be developed for Bass Lake.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks says it also will work with interested parties to understand how rotenone functions in the environment.