Sullivan Lake bull trout introduction
Sullivan Lake bull trout introduction
WDFW is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Kalispel Tribe Natural Resources Department on an initiative to introduce bull trout to Sullivan Lake and Harvey Creek near Metaline Falls in northeast Washington's Pend Oreille County. If it moves forward, this effort will take place over a period of four-to-eight years beginning in 2025.
Bull trout are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Establishing a population in Sullivan Lake (via translocation from tributaries of Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho) would aid in recovery of the species in northeast Washington, while supporting cultural goals of the Kalispel Tribe and facilitating potential future fishery opportunities.
Bull trout are a member of the char family. They are fall spawners and have distinctive light spots on a dark background, unlike rainbow and cutthroat trout which have dark spots on a lighter background. The head and mouth are large and they average 12-20 inches but can grow even larger.
While individual bull trout are consistently found in the lower Pend Oreille River system, an introduction at Sullivan Lake would promote the species' local recovery. In 2014, the USFWS and stakeholders within the Lower Pend Oreille River watershed conducted an analysis of the feasibility of reintroduction of bull trout within the watershed. Sullivan Lake and its primary tributary, Harvey Creek, were identified through that analysis as the portion of the Lower Pend Oreille with the highest likelihood of establishing a bull trout population due to its' cold, clean water; suitable spawning tributary; lack of nonnative competitors; and abundant forage and habitat, If the effort is succesful, the introduction could provide a source population for future conservation introductions within the Pend Oreille River basin and a possible future bull trout fishery. The recovery of bull trout within the basin is identified as a key action in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s bull trout recovery plan.
Camping, hunting, boating, and other recreational activities currently allowed by the U.S. Forest Service and other public entities would not change as a result of the introduction. Existing angling opportunities within the lake also would not change and may provide additional future fishing opportunities, though specific portions of Harvey Creek may be closed to angling seasonally, similar to bull trout management in other areas. Industrial regulations on private and public lands would remain as they currently are.
Please review a pre-recorded presentation here that explains the details of this introduction proposal.
A public meeting on the topic will be held at 6 p.m. on April 17, 2024 in the Green Room of the Cutter Theater, 302 Park Street, Metaline Falls. The meeting will include a short presentation on the proposal and opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. If you cannot attend the meeting, please watch the prerecorded presentation on this page and provide input in the form below. You can also submit written comments by emailing SullivanLakebulltrout@publicinput.com or by calling 1-855-925-2801 and entering project code 6058 and leaving a voicemail. The deadline to submit comments is 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 30, 2024. A draft Environmental Assessessment is also expected to be available for public comment later this year.
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
