The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1939-01-05
Many Enjoy
Ice FishinQ
On Rainbow
Large Catches of Silver
Salmon Being Made-Limit
Easily Obtained.
21.00O FRY PLANTED
IN LAKE LAST MAY

The men and women of Libby and
this vicinity who enjoy fishing
through ice are having more than a
lot of fun this winter taking silver
salmon out of Rainbow lake, in the
Happy's Inn district south of Libby.
The lake is apparently alive with
the beautiful fish and large catches
are being made. 1t is reported that
one day recently there were "a
ardent fishermen scattered over the
lake and all of them either got their
legal limit or all they wanted with
in short time. And thereby hangs
an interesting tale.
Graham Caldwell, superintendent
of the state fish hatchery at Libby,
reports that on last May 7 they
planted 81 900 silver salmon in the
lake, of lingering size. These are
now being taken out and they have
made the remarkable growth of
from 6 to IL inches, most of them
averaging from 8 to 10 inches. They
are rolling fat. And they make as
fine eating as the most fastidious
epicure could desire, say those who
have sampled them.
The results in this lake are an
interesting proof of what can be
accomplished in increasing the sup
ply of fish when conditions are
right. states MFR. Caldwell. This lake
formerly was overrun with large
rainbow trout, from which 1t OBJ
tanned its name. The natural catch
from the lake by fishermen, coupled
with the destruction of young fish
by the large ones, was rapidly re-
ducing the fish population. Nature
was allowed to take its course for
a few years, and then last spring
an examination of the lake was
made by hatchery men. 1t was
found that the natural food in the
lake had increased remarkably
When a log lying in the water
along the shore line was turned
over the shape of the log was left
in the lake bed impressed IN mil
lions of soft water shrimp that had
gathered around the log. Other
natural food was also abundant. Inc
comparatively warm water and the
abundance of natural food have re-
suited in the rapid growth of the
lingering that are now being taken
out as good sized fish. !.
when conditions are right 1t
isn't SO strange that these fish have
made the growth they have said
Mr.. Caldwell. sThe silver salmon is
an ocean going fish and when IN
that habitat grows from Is to 40
pounds within a cycle of about 4
wears. However, these fish do not
reproduce when confined to lakes
1t is believed they die after reach
ing the spawning age. Therefore II
will be necessary for us to replant
the waters with the silver salmon
every year or two, and that we are
planning to do.
Ice fishing is providing fine win
ter sport for large numbers of peo-
pie in this part of the state besides
adding an item of no mean value te
the bill of fare The result OF the
planting of silver salmon in Rain.
bow lake is most gratifying to the
sportsmen of this section.
Highly interesting work is being
carried on by the local hatchery
New and larger rearing ponds are
being built. A program is being
adopted of holding the fry until they
reach lingering size before plant
ing. Experiments are being con
Quoted in respect to conditions II
different lakes throughout the coun
ty and regarding the rate of growth
of the fish. Coarse fish such a
suckers and similar species are be
ing trapped SO as to leave the loca
waters for the more desirable
varieties. Much of interest will de
velop during the coming month
and this newspaper plans to keep Il
touch with it and report the result
( IN the peonla of. the district.