Heavy snowpack bodes well for summer angling and fish population

IDAHO — To this point March has been one of many higher months for precipitation within the Gem State.

Snowpack ranges are above common in most areas and with a continued moist spring, Idaho may break its drought streak. Many basins and reservoirs have seen below-average ranges however that would change if latest climate tendencies are ongoing.

One specific space this might affect is the state fish inhabitants, in a optimistic approach. Idaho Fish and Sport (IDFG) hope to see extra rain into March and April for its fish ecosystems.

“Fish want water. Water is essential for pure manufacturing functions. Plenty of our midsized reservoirs, Magic Reservoir, Mormon Reservoir, Little Camas, have been pretty water restricted the final handful of years. So we’re optimistic that the situations that we’re seeing will persist by the spring,” mentioned Mike Peterson, Regional Fisheries Supervisor.

One main impact extra rain and snow can have is elevated water going into the state’s aquifers. This creates extra spring water which all hatcheries in Idaho use to develop fish.

“Anytime that we get this type of precipitation on the panorama, you get a few of that water that soaks down into the aquifer, replenishes the spring, that gives extra water for the hatcheries,” mentioned Peterson.

Pure repopulation is one thing many reservoirs have been missing because of low water ranges. However rising water ranges may result in extra pure fish mating, producing extra alternatives for anglers.

“When now we have a full pool at Magic Reservoir, you get water up into the willows. That gives the wanted spawning habitat for perch populations and for higher bass spawning situations,” mentioned Peterson.