POLSON – The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are increasing the payouts for this year’s Flathead Lake trout fishing tournament in an effort to entice more anglers and reduce the lake trout population.
The state and tribal co-management plan for the lake expires this year, and the tribes want to reduce the number of lake trout by 80,000 in 2011. They’re considering a controversial gill-netting plan to reach the goal.
But first, they want to give anglers a chance. The most dedicated anglers could reel in $3,000 or more apiece during the 33-day tourney. People who catch 20 lake trout will get $35. An angler who catches the limit of 50 a day, every day of the tournament would win more than $4,800.
The tournament starts Friday.
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