Lake Pend Oreille is in some need of a major revival related to a popular, grassroots fishery.

During the days of booming kokanee fishing, Bonner County alone benefited from our annual infusion of more than $20 million from that fishery. We wish the Fish and Game Department success in its attempt to recover kokanee in the lake however, we believe that those generous daily kokanee limits granted to earlier generations of Pend Oreille anglers will not be experienced in the future. Recovered kokanee will serve mainly as our important forage fish for bull trout, cutthroat and introduced trout species in the lake. The Idaho Fish and Game Department will evaluate a six-kokanee limit for the lake effective in 2013.

Walleye is a highly popular and avidly fished-for species, especially in North Dakota. Walleye are growing popularity in Montana and Washington. We believe walleye can be the source of a significant and popular fishery for both Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River.

Walleye are already present in both bodies of water and a growing number of anglers from Clark Fork to Priest River enjoy catching them and consuming their excellent meat. Anecdotal repasts indicate that walleye fishing gear represents a growing portion of fishing tackle sales in local stores. Federal authorities estimate that out-of-area anglers spend $150 per day on such things as lodging, meals, motor fuel and various equipment rentals.

Fish and Game has a strategic plan for Lake Pend Oreille that centers on native trout species (bull trout and cutthroat) and native mountain white fish. Rainbow and lake trout are presently being targeted for reason of their impact on kokanee, the forage fish for all trout species. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are managed through limits and size (largemouth). The bass fishery has become popular and has grown in recent years. A growing walleye fishery could equal and exceed the popularity of the bass fishery in the lake and river.

We also know that the issue of Fish and Game managing walleye in a similar fashion to the way bass have been recently managed would be controversial. The enhancement of another predator fish species would likely face resistance from Fish and Game and some segments of the lake and river fishing community.

In general, walleye are tough on young kokanee, trout and perch when those species share the same habitat. The question to Idaho Fish and Game is: "How intrusive is the predation of walleye on kokanee, trout and perch in the lake and river?" We believe the department must answer that question after having examined the stomach contents of population index related, netted walleye in applicable habitats of the lake and river. We understand that population index netting to establish walleye population estimates was accomplished for the lake and river utilizing established methods employed by the Great Lakes. We are pleased to learn that Fish and Game has taken such action and we hope the department will give strong consideration to a formalized program of walleye population index netting, including a diet analysis in overlapping habitats. We support the index related netting of walleye as long as that is the justification for such netting. Any netting of walleye for reason of limiting their population growth, we do not support and in fact strongly oppose.

Mrs. Jim Frederick, Panhandle Region Fisheries boss, stated that "the department can do nothing to enhance or diminish walleye in the lake." We believe that both growing and reducing the walleye population are options available to the department. We have learned of the department's cooperation with Montana Fish personnel was undertaken to reduce the influx of walleye from the Clark Fork River into Idaho. That cooperation took place many years ago. We believe the lake and river populations of walleye should be enhanced through future management.

With non-resident hunting license and elk and deer tag sales sagging badly, Fish and Game's revenues are far behind those of the years before wolf expansion, when the economy was on fire and when Idaho's competitive prices still lured out-of-state hunters. In those times, hunting revenues virtually carried the whole department. Fishing was a distant second place contributor. Now, fishing revenues are on a par with hunting revenues and, if the trend continues, fishing revenues will surpass hunting revenues in the near future, that better enhancement to fishing revenues than a well-established walleye fishery centered on Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River?

Walleye fishing is popular with Spokane area residents who willingly would spend their hard-earned dollars in Bonner County for a fair chance to take home some great tasting walleye filets. Some Idaho residents will object to those "darn" nonresidents catching Idaho fish. We believe a robust walleye fishery will be good for all walleye anglers and the economic impact will help our region gain much-needed tourism dollars.

The North Dakota Tourism folks target specific urban markets in Minnesota with reports of the status of upcoming walleye fishing throughout their state. Targeting walleye anglers in Spokane, Seattle, Tacoma, Tri-Cities and beyond could turn the lake and river into a destination fishing location where walleye fishing enthusiasts learn of the beauty of our area and its multi-seasonal attractions. Local businesses would surely benefit from a robust walleye fishery. Revenue increases would be welcomed by both private businesses and government entities.

Now is the time to begin the public debate. An interested and concerned group of local anglers is circulating a petition focused on forming a club with the purpose of supporting the sustained growth of the emerging walleye fishery in Lake Pend Oreille and the Pend Oreille River. Should you believe that such an activity is an important and worthy undertaking, please sign the petition which you can find at most fishing related business and other businesses in the greater Sandpoint area.

Pete Thompson is a Sandpoint resident. Ed Lindahl is a Sagle resident.