Save local species

In his May 28 column Warren Illi attempts to make the point that “local angler preferences are to fish where you can catch fish without regard to being native or non-native fish.” 

In other words, it’s OK to destroy fish populations that have existed in our valley for 10,000 years and decimate their habitat as long as anglers can catch carp, walleye, perch and crappie. What’s wrong with having a Flathead fishery that mirrors the great fishing in Kansas? No need to worry about native fish as long as we can catch large, scrappy and yummy imports. 

Perhaps the primary reason Montana anglers enjoy fishing for non-native fish is that there no longer exists a viable native fishery that we have not impacted or destroyed.

Just over the mountain, in Brisish Columbia, an entirely native cutthroat and bull trout fishery thrives. The Elk River is a world-famous destination because of its native fishery. It’s so popular that they had to institute a daily fee to reduce angling pressure. That money has helped to improve the fishery even more.

We once had much the same fishery in the Flathead. We tried to “improve” it and the result was a disaster for native fish. It is legally incumbent on FWP to protect some of what is left of our native fish populations. Bull trout are a federally threatened species and westslope cutthroat (our state fish) are listed as a “species of concern” by Montana.

There is no “conflict” between preserving native fish and protecting angling opportunities. We can do both. There is no threat to northern pike, lake trout, perch and brook trout. They are here to stay. But, let’s not begrudge some spending to preserve a reminder of our historic legacy. It’s not about money. It’s about what we leave to our kids. —LaVerne Sultz, Kalispell