PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has been trapping 600 pounds of tui chub per day on a lake near Bend in an effort to restore a rainbow trout fishery.
East Lake long had a reputation for producing trophy-sized rainbow trout, but the quality has declined in recent years because the trout have been competing for food with the invasive tui chub.
Biologist Jen Luke says traps alone can’t eliminate the tui chub. The goal is to reduce the population so rainbow trout can thrive.
East Lake was first stocked with rainbow trout in 1912. Tui chub may have been introduced by anglers using them as bait.
Four years ago, the state poisoned Diamond Lake to deal with an exploding tui chub population that ruined a showcase trout fishery.
