Letter: Please, no gill-netting

I was just made aware of the potential gill-netting of our lake trout in Priest Lake. We have a fabulous fishery here, and NO ONE I have spoken with would like it to be modified.

I have read numerous articles re: the decline of kokanee, and I yearly witness their creek spawning. It is my purely observational opinion that they are increasing every year, as I watch the creek mouths during spawning season. If the lake trout population needs to be diminished, why not raise the limit for sport fishermen? If we wish to reintroduce bull trout, we have a hatchery already in Kallispel Bay, which would not only serve to enrich diversity, but employ people in a seasonal work-dependent area.

I urge you to PLEASE stop considering gill-netting for ANY reason, and add a public hearing at Priest Lake, if you need further suggestions. I lived through the Shrimp misadventure, have witnessed the fishery recovery, and hope that we have learned to trust the ecological network that already exists and sustains our beautiful fishery.

LINDA WOLCOTT

Priest Lake