The June 30 edition of the Inter Lake published the most disturbing, indeed, disgusting, writing I have ever witnessed in print in Montana.

I am referring to the Flathead Outdoors column by Warren Illi entitled “Pike fishing has some serious fans.” Mr. Illi’s column related an event where a friend caught a 20-pound northern pike in Swan Lake. He reported that the “fish was released back into Swan Lake,” apparently extolling the virtues of catch-and-release of an invasive species illegally introduced by “bucket biologists.”

Mr. Illi next doubles down on his love of invasive species by castigating “fishery managers” for discriminating “against this great fish because it is non-native and not in keeping with Montana’s trout emphasis.” Mr. Illi then had the audacity to criticize “the daily bag limit [of] 15 fish, which is an eradication-type limit.” Exactly what is wrong with an “eradication-type limit” on northern pike? In my view, nothing. Having any “bag limit” at all on the abominable pike is an outrage in itself. In fact, it should be criminal, with a substantial penalty, to release any caught northern pike back into Western Montana waters.

It has obviously escaped Mr. Illi’s thinking that release of a voracious predator back into a Western Montana fishery will promote the “eradication” of native species. Or would Mr. Illi rather see the non-native, invasive species thrive at the expense of the west slope cutthroat and bull trout? The latter certainly appears to be the case, since one 20-pound northern pike could easily eradicate a dozen or more 6-8-inch trout or salmon every day, and is capable of eating even larger fish, which is their preference. In fact, Mr. Illi’s writing could even serve to encourage “bucket biology,” given his gratuitous comment that “they are here to stay.” In other words, “mission accomplished,” to all you “bucket biologists” out there, and “keep up the good work.”

Another fact that has apparently escaped Mr. Illi is that the northern pike diet is not restricted to other fish. The internet offers numerous videos of northern pike eating ducklings. It has been years since I have heard the call of the common loon on Swan Lake, an event that used to be a daily occurrence. I, personally, have no doubt that the absence of loons on Swan Lake is directly attributable to the presence of northern pike.

I would encourage Mr. Illi, or others who would promote the proliferation of pike in Swan Lake to watch every one of those videos with your families before returning another pike to Western Montana waters. You can then explain to your wives and daughters what a “great fish” the northern pike is.

Thank you, Mr. Illi, for providing insight into your warped thinking. You should be ashamed. And, by the way, where, exactly, are you from? You certainly cannot be a native of Western Montana.

—Al Weed, Kalispell