Something Fishy: “Shocking” Data from the Teton Watershed
During the summer of 2010, Friends of the Teton River partnered with Idaho Fish & Game, Wyoming Game & Fish, the US Forest Service, and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to complete extensive fisheries research in the Teton Watershed. Results of this research, and their implications for the future of the Teton River’s valuable fishery, will be the focus of Friends of the Teton River’s next Water Wise presentation, on Wednesday, May 25th at 7PM.
During the summer of 2010, electro-fishing techniques were used to assess trout populations on 15 Teton River tributaries, and over 390 trout were implanted with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to track trout movements past 6 PIT tag sensor sites, also installed during the summer. Combined with creel surveys and main Teton River electrofishing surveys conducted by Idaho Fish and Game, these studies reveal important trends about the status of the Teton watershed’s valuable fishery. This fishery is an important contributor to Teton Valley’s economy, and as such, management actions based on the results of these studies have wide-ranging implications for the community.
On May 25th, Idaho Fish and Game Regional Fisheries Manager Dan Garren, and FTR Restoration Director Mike Lien will reveal the results of recent research, discuss the management and restoration implications of this research, and share plans for future work. In addition, Garren will discuss the new fishing regulations for the Teton River and tributaries, which took effect in 2011. The presentation will take place at the Driggs Senior Center, and will begin promptly at 7PM. Light refreshments will be available beginning at 6:30. For more information on this presentation or the Water Wise Community Education series, please call Friends of the Teton River at 354-3871 or visit www.tetonwater.org.
