05/19/08

The ice has come off the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, and that means the fish have returned. But according to the Idaho Fish and Game, it has received reports about an unusual number of dead perch found on the eastern shores of the reservoir.

Regional Fisheries Biologist Rob Ryan, Idaho Fish and Game, says, “From a population perspective, we've seen some perch die off in the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, but the numbers that we're seeing on the water, we don't think are, at this point, a population impact.

Ryan says that the cause is most likely natural. “They have been showing up since the ice has been coming off the reservoir, and probably related to some spawning stress. Perch spawn this time of year and it's a stressful, stressful event for those fish.”

He says that from an angler's perspective, it's enough to cause some alarm.

“You know, perch are a pretty important part of the reservoir and the fishery it provides for a number of reasons.”

However, Ryan says that due to the numbers of perch in the reservoir, the number that has washed up is relatively small, and they don't have a whole lot of concern.

Andrew Logsdon, KMVT News.