Not good news for North Shore Steelhead

Steelhead interbreeding with Kamloops

This confirms the suspicions many people have had that the Kamloops are diluting the genetics of the north shore Steelhead.

SR

Thats why I eat the loopers. How could they not think it would happen?

Mwal

So are they really saying the the highly unsuccessful kamloops strain is having too much success?

That’s what I’m getting out of the story.

The DNR biologists can’t even tell the unclipped kamloops from the original steelhead strain when they are doing the milking.

Seems like a highly biased story.

I’m not a big Ross Pearson fan but they sure made him sound ignorant.

Whether kamloops would or have somehow damaged the steelhead pedigree remains to be seen. Could be? However with the French River hatchery closing, so goes the “loopers”. Supposedly there will be some supplied by another hatchery, although far fewer. Also the cost of the French River hatchery to produce a “looper” to make it to the end of an anglers line is $160 per fish!

Lots of people who fish and live along the shore have been saying this is happening for several years. Personally I see way more steelhead than I do loopers on my line.

Personally I think a one fish steelhead take could be done without harming anything. But in light of this “proof” being offered thru genetics study and dna tracking I say we chit can all of the regs separating the two fish, do away with all of these boys clubs and just get back to fishing.

…..Groups such as Minnesota Trout Unlimited have long been opposed to Kamloops rainbow stocking because they fear it will dilute the wild steelhead strain, first introduced to Minnesota waters of Lake Superior in 1895…..

Trying to protect the purity of one introduced fish from another introduced fish. I guess things that started in 1895 gotta take precedent over things that happened in the 1970’s. Not looking to start a fight, but this really seems funny.

piscatorialmaize wrote:

…..Groups such as Minnesota Trout Unlimited have long been opposed to Kamloops rainbow stocking because they fear it will dilute the wild steelhead strain, first introduced to Minnesota waters of Lake Superior in 1895…..

Trying to protect the purity of one introduced fish from another introduced fish. I guess things that started in 1895 gotta take precedent over things that happened in the 1970’s. Not looking to start a fight, but this really seems funny.

Totally agreed. But to take it a step farther, the underlying issue is supposed to be that the kamloops is inferior and doesn’t have a good survival rate compared to the original strain.

Well if that’s the case, why the high numbers of unclipped kamloops and why the high numbers the interbred fish? I though they were inferior?

Very conflicting story if you read between the lines.

What’s Wisconsin saying? They have steelhead runs.

Keep in mind that both fish were planted to get them started, so in essence they’re all invasives. And now that inter-breeding has been affirmed, what can be done? This was the first test done. Future testing will reveal more of what this study showed. Open steelhead as a keep fish, limit one, and let the anglers at least have something to look forward to…..they aren’t true steelhead anymore, according to this study.

Man messing with nature and ya’ll are filling your knickers over the inevitable. If a looper fillet, a steelhead fillet and and a fillet off any hybrid of the two were set on a plate in front of you cooked you’d never know which was which. If you just want to catch them, fine, release them. So now if you want to catch a pure strain fish, do as the exclusive do and travel.

I’d be more concerned about lamprey control than whether a steelie is part looper or vice-versa.