STATE OF IDAHO 



DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME 



REGION I 



2320 GOVERNMENT WAY 



COEUR d'ALENE, IDAHO 83814 



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February 2, 1981 



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Mr. Fred Robinson 



Department of Natural Resources 



32 South Ewinq 



Helena, MT 59601 



Dear Mr. Robinson: 



Currently there is a fair trout and a good whitefish fishery in the 20 miles 

 of the Kootenai River between Bonners Ferry and the Montana-Idaho state line. 

 Whitefish, which are better adapted than trout to spawning in a large river, 

 are the most numerous fish in the river. Trout numbers are lower and are 

 most, likely restricted by available spawning tributaries and down river drift 

 of small fish from above Kootenai Falls. 



Since good spawning tributaries below Kootenai Falls are limited to the Yaak 

 River and a few other small streams in Montana, it is felt that drift from 

 above the falls makes a significant contribution to these trout populations. 

 Kootenai River tributaries in Idaho above Bonners Ferry are few in number and 

 are restricted by fish barriers at their mouths or by high sediment 

 concentrations in their substrate (Boulder Creek). 



Although whitefish numbers are higher and they supply the bulk of the catch, 

 most of the anglers are seeking trout. If trout numbers decrease in this 

 area due to a decrease in recruitment, there will most likely be a decrease 

 in fishing effort in this section of the river for both trout and whitefish. 



W. HT Goodnigh 

 Region 1 



ishery Manager 



EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 



