State proposes trout replacement

Blue and Park lakes treated for undesirable fish

EPHRATA — Fishery managers might eradicate the entire population of fish at Blue and Park lakes, and replace them with trout.

Under a state Department of Fish and Wildlife proposal, the cool, deep waters of these lakes may be treated with rotenone, a natural chemical that would kill all fish.

Rotenone, which is extracted from ground-up roots of tropical plants in the bean family, kills fish quickly and then dissipates in a short period of time, according to fish and game biologists.

The chemical works by blocking the transport of oxygen through the gills of the fish. Within minutes, they should start floating to the top.

The Environmental Protection Agency's 1998 scientific review of rotenone supported its continued use. It's become the hands-down favorite of fish experts because they are able to eradicate entire populations and communities of fish with minimum impact to non-target wildlife.

Blue and Park lakes, situated along Highway 17 near Coulee City, have declining trout populations because of competition with illegally introduced and undesirable fish, said Jeff Korth, a state fish and wildlife biologist stationed in Ephrata.

The problem is perch, sunfish, bass, and bullhead catfish have overrun the two lakes, Korth said, and are out-competing trout for food. By ridding the lakes of these undesirable fish species, and stocking them with trout, proponents of the treatment hope anglers from western Washington will continue visiting these eastern Washington lakes.

The lakes have been treated with rotenone eight times since the 1950s, and most recently in 1996.

But the treatment is a contentious issue for some.

For opponents like Mike Delp, whose home sits along Blue Lake, biologists are "killing the lake" by dumping the chemical into the water and mixing it around.

For lake resort operators, and many of their guests, treatment is less about killing and more about "rehabilitation."

Jeff Grass, owner-operator of Blue Lake Resort for the last 10 years, is 100 percent in favor of treatment.

"I think the lakes need it real bad," Grass said Monday. "Once the bad fishing reports show up, people don't."

Owners of Coulee Lodge Resort and Laurent's Sun Village Resort say treatment is necessary to maintain these premium trout lakes. Guests stay longer, the owners say, and visit more frequently when the lakes are filled with trout. Anglers catching their limit is the key. Around 50 percent of those anglers come from the west side of the state.

The department of fish and wildlife consider the two lakes to be among the state's top attractions for trout angling and have been two of the most important opening day waters in Grant County since the 1950s.

On opening day, this year, anglers averaged less than a fish per rod, the agency reported. Some anglers thought the lake wasn't stocked this year. But the department of fish and wildlife stocked the lake with 275,000 rainbow trout, ranging in size from 3 to 6 inches. They also released 47,000 catchable-sized trout this year.

The number of catchable trout, ranging from 8 to 10 inches, was not enough to secure a fair opening day catch rate. The two lakes, at more than 850 acres, would need to be stocked with closer to 180,000 catchable-sized trout to ensure fishermen were able to reel a few in.

Current hatchery resources are not available to regularly provide enough catchable trout for Blue and Park lakes without severely impacting other fisheries in Grant County, state fish and wildlife officials say. Only a complete rehabilitation of the lakes can save the trout fishery.

Rusty Laurent, whose family has operated Laurent's Sun Village Resort between the two lakes since 1968, said very few lakes in Grant County are preserved as premium trout waters. There are plenty of other lakes where fishermen can go to catch perch and bass. These two lakes, he said, have been maintained for trout since the 1930s.

"We've witnessed the rehabs and supported them every time," Laurent said. "Most people against the treatment are spiny rayed fishermen."

The department of fish and wildlife scheduled a public meeting for July 13 at Ephrata High School to discuss their fish management plans and recommend treatment of Blue and Park lakes.

"This is a chance for people to comment on the proposal and to learn about the treatment procedure and the benefits of lake rehabilitation," said Korth. "Trout provide one of the state's most popular fisheries, and by rehabilitating these lakes we can continue to provide anglers great trout-fishing opportunities."

The lake treatment plan is scheduled to be finalized in late August, and treatments would begin in October.