HELENA — State fish and wildlife officials have changed their plans to use a pesticide to remove northern pike from Bass Lake and Mud Creek in northwestern Montana.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials proposed last year to use rotenone to poison the fish in the lake and stream, then remove the illegally introduced northern pike and restock the lake with westslope cutthroat trout.
FWP officials said Monday that it decided against the plan after hearing concerns from the public in comments it received and during a public meeting in December in Eureka.
Instead of using pesticide, FWP officials will explore alternative means, such as electrofishing, nets and traps.
FWP says it also will work with interested parties to understand how rotenone functions in the environment.
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