Letter to the Editor - Why did FWP stop stocking Fresno?

Editor,

I would like to thank you for your recent article in the July edition of Hi-Line Living Magazine regarding one of the Hi-Line’s assets, Fresno Reservoir. However, I think there is a need to clarify a few things. First, when the current FWP biologist came to Havre he wrote in the FWP news-letter that he had inherited one of the best “go to” fisheries for walleye in Montana. This was primarily attributed to fish stocking that started in 2003.  He further pointed out the high walleye population, historically high levels of forage including crappie and perch and good water levels. He went on to comment on the high catch rates of walleye of 50-60 fish per day. For years, the FWP data continued to express the same good results.

Then, for some reason, in 2012 the FWP stopped stocking walleye in Fresno. This fact was not mentioned in your article. By the biologist’s own data, the forage base in Fresno began to decline by almost half in that first year and continued to decline year after year.  This data also showed decline in fishable walleye and northern pike. The last creel census at Fresno showed a catch rate of 0.74 fish per hour. To make it clear, in 2012 the FWP stopped doing what they knew was the key to a great walleye fishery.

If this fishery is flourishing why did concerned fisherpeople feel the need to start circulating a petition to have the FWP resume planting walleye at Fresno? This petition was signed by several hundred fishermen. Because of this petition the FWP called an open meeting and the room was filled with concerned fishermen/fisherwomen.

By their own data, the FWP is aware there has been an ongoing decline in the fish base at Fresno.  It is my hope that, with encouragement from fisherpeople, the FWP will reinstate the practices they know will return Fresno to the quality fishery it has the potential to be. Using the excuse that the fish are “too full” just doesn’t cut it.

Low water levels are often cited as reasons for not stocking a fishery.  It should be noted that the year prior to the 2003 walleye stocking of Fresno was one of the lower water levels in the history of Fresno Reservoir.

Don Groven

Havre

Editor’s note: See related story on Page A1.