The Kalispel Tribal Fish Hatchery (KTFH) is currently in transition from a warmwater Largemouth Bass (LMB) production facility to a dual purpose coldwater facility capable of producing triploid Rainbow Trout (TRBT) for tribal consumption and Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) to support tributary restoration projects. Continued stocking of the Pend Oreille River with LMB is no longer feasible, or desirable for a variety of reasons. First, invasive Northern Pike have become firmly established and caused drastic changes in the fish community and reduced overall LMB population size. Second, Smallmouth Bass have increased in the reservoir and are known to out compete LMB in sympatry. Lastly, habitat improvement and non-native fish suppression and eradication projects being implemented in tributaries to the reservoir are coming to fruition through FERC license implementation and BPA-USACE--Kalispel MOA. It is now feasible to restore self-sustaining, genetically pure populations of WCT to recovered reaches.

We completed a Coldwater Conversion Hatchery Feasibility Study in 2014 in which a consultant team determined that a conversion of the existing facility is feasible and no fatal flaws were identified. The biological criteria used to determine feasibility were based on 3-year piscicide application schedule and restocking salvaged WCT and two cohorts of their offspring, while annually stocking 1,600 catchable TRBT into Indian Creek Pond raised from eyed eggs and fingerlings. Development of the new programs would entail partial reuse and redundancy of groundwater, redesign of surface water pumping plant, replacement of rearing vessels and plumbing, biosecurity measures, and introduction of naturalized rearing elements. Much of the infrastructure could be used and minimal expansion of the footprint would be required. Permitting, design, environmental compliance and Master Planning for the project will begin in late 2014.

During this contract period the KTFH will be rearing remaining LMB subadults from 2012 and 2013 production years to catchable size for outplanting in a Tribal pond in autumn 2015. No production of LMB is planned for the foreseeable future. Additionally, 1,600 TRBT will be reared from eyed eggs and fingerlings to 8"-16" catchables for outplaning into Indian Creek Pond, a private, Tribally owned 0.5 acre diversion of Indian Creek that is screened at its inlet and outlet. Ordinary maintenance of the hatchery facility and water supply systems will likely remain unchanged during this contract period.