Investigation into pike discovery

Abigail Geiger

Reporter

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks have been focusing steadily on finding out more information about the recent discovery of pike in Lake Mary Ronan to see if illegal introduction has occurred.

Two northern pike were caught in the lake on June 26 by an angler from Missoula. It was the first sighting of pike in Lake Mary Ronan and a pike presence could be detrimental to the valuable native species such as the kokanee salmon and trout. 

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has bolstered the effort to combat illegal introduction into water bodies, because nonnative species can cause problems for the industry, the fishermen and the native species themselves.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be studying Lake Mary Ronan over the next 30 days to determine the cause of the precense of pike in the lake.

FWP is asking anyone (not just anglers) with information on who introduced pike into Lake Mary Ronan to call 1-800-TIP MONT.