Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Idaho
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Idaho Project


Population dynamics of lake trout in Priest Lake, Idaho

January 2013 - December 2015


Personnel

Participating Agencies

  • Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Lake trout are a nonnative species in Priest Lake, Idaho. Managers of the system are at odds with how to manage the lake. On one hand, the lake trout population provides a popular fishery. On the other hand, lake trout likely have negative interactions with other fishes in the system, most of which provide recreational opportunities. Moreover, high densities of lake trout are thought to contribute to low densities of threatened bull trout in the system. The purpose of this study is to provide managers with information on the population dynamics of lake trout that can be used to guide management of Priest Lake.