BONNER COUNTY, Idaho — Fishing enthusiasts on Lake Pend Oreille have an unusual opportunity: they can earn money while helping manage the lake’s fisheries, according to Idaho Fish and Game.
The Angler Incentive Program, run by Idaho Fish and Game, pays anglers and spearfishers to catch and turn in the heads of walleye and lake trout.
Approximately 60 walleye in Lake Pend Oreille carry tracking tags placed by Idaho Fish and Game biologists. Anyone who catches a tagged walleye and turns in its head receives $1,000. Every other walleye head earns an entry into a monthly drawing with ten $100 prizes.
Lake trout rewards are simpler: $15 per head turned in.
According to Idaho Fish and Game, lake trout and walleye are aggressive predators that reduce kokanee populations. Kokanee support Lake Pend Oreille’s world-renowned trophy rainbow trout fishery. By incentivizing the removal of these predators, Idaho Fish and Game maintains the ecosystem balance needed to protect kokanee.
The program has been running since 2006 for lake trout and expanded to walleye in 2019. Lake trout anglers have earned approximately $1.5 million in rewards since 2006, while walleye anglers have earned roughly $125,000 since 2019.
For more information about the Angler Incentive Program, contact the Panhandle Regional office of Idaho Fish and Game or visit their website.
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