Tag Archives: Swan Lake

Test shows Swan Lake walleye are Illegal transplants

February 19, 2016Environmental Issues, Newsbucket biology, invasive species, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Swan Lake, walleyenfpa

A walleye caught in Swan Lake - courtesy Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks — A walleye caught in Swan Lake – courtesy Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

The walleyes found in Swan Lake were illegally dumped there last year. Now fisheries personnel are worried about bucket biologists doing the same in other lakes and streams in the area . . .

State wildlife officials have confirmed that two walleyes caught in Swan Lake last fall were illegally transplanted, quelling concerns that the non-native species spawned in the lake.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologists reported catching the walleye in Swan Lake in October during a gill-net operation, marking the first time the species has been discovered in the lake and raising concerns about the illegal introduction of yet another non-native fish in Montana’s waters, according to Mark Deleray, Region One fisheries manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Recent microchemistry analysis of the inner ear bones of the fish indicates they were introduced to the lake sometime last year.

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Cool, damp weather helps slow fires

September 2, 2011Fire Information and Status, NewsBig Salmon Lake Fire, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Hammer Creek Fire, South Fork Lost Creek Fire, Swan Lake, wildfiresnfpa

From the Daily Inter Lake . . .

Recent rains, higher humidities and lower temperatures have put a damper on fires still burning in Northwest Montana.

About a half inch of rain was recorded Wednesday at Spotted Bear and the Big Prairie Ranger station in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, where the 4,100-acre Big Salmon Lake Fire and the 5,100-acre Hammer Creek Fire have been burning for the last few weeks…

There was a similar effect on the South Fork Lost Creek Fire, which has burned 1,681 acres just outside the wilderness about seven miles south of Swan Lake…

Continue reading . . .

Area wildfires a bit larger, but not threats

August 26, 2011Fire Information and Status, NewsBob Marshall Wilderness, Lost Creek, Swan Lake, wildfire informationnfpa

From the Daily Inter Lake . . .

The Hammer Creek Fire appears to have doubled in size over the last two or three days, according to updated reports on three active fires in Northwest Montana.

The Hammer Creek Fire, now estimated at 2,800 acres, has burned northeast from the South Fork Flathead River basin into the Lime Creek drainage, where fire managers had wanted it to go because of rocky ridges and other natural barriers that will eventually slow it down.

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Crews gain ground against new local fires, older burns remain stable

August 24, 2011Fire Information and Status, NewsBob Marshall Wilderness, Stillwater state forest, Swan Lake, Tally Lake, Whitefish Range, wildfire informationnfpa

From the Daily Inter Lake (with photos) . . .

Firefighters continued to tangle with a new fire east of Stryker while two fires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness were mostly unaffected by stiff winds Tuesday.

Soon after the Fitzsimmons Fire was detected Monday near the confluence of Fitzsimmons Creek and upper Stillwater Creek, it grew to 60 acres in steep, timbered terrain.

“They do have it 75 percent lined,” said Brian Manning, manager of the Stillwater State Forest. “The fire behavior was moderate enough that they could work on it directly today with some air support.”

The fire raises concerns about the potential for it to move upslope into the Whitefish Range.

Continue reading . . .

Winds could increase area fire activity

August 21, 2011Fire Information and Status, NewsBob Marshall Wilderness, Swan Lake, wildfire informationnfpa

From the Daily Inter Lake . . .

Fire activity was relatively quiet Saturday, with fires in Northwest Montana gaining little ground.

The South Fork Lost Creek Fire, which is burning southeast of Swan Lake, grew just 60 acres from when it was sized Friday afternoon. That is due in part to a burnout operation firefighters conducted Friday, which was used to create a break in front of an active part of the fire.

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Burnout effort aims to rein in Swan fire

August 20, 2011Fire Information and Status, NewsBob Marshall Wilderness, Swan Lake, wildfire informationnfpa

As in past years, the Daily Inter Lake is leaning into its wildfire coverage. Here’s the latest write-up . . .

Two large wildfires in the Bob Marshall Wilderness settled down somewhat Friday, while a burnout operation was initiated on a fire just outside the wilderness seven miles southeast of Swan Lake.

Continue reading . . .