LA GRANDE – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking public input regarding the fishery at Phillips Reservoir.

The once-popular trout fishery at Phillips Reservoir is now a mere fraction of what it was in its heyday in the 1970s and ’80s.

According to ODFW biologists, the cause for the decline in the fishery was the illegal introduction of yellow perch into the reservoir in the early 1990s. The perch multiplied rapidly, out-competing other game fish in the reservoir for food. Populations of rainbow trout, large and smallmouth bass and crappie were seriously impacted.

ODFW responded by changing the trout stocking program at the reservoir. Stocking larger fingerlings later in the season has improved the fishery somewhat, but not to the degree hoped for. Additional fishery management tools are available to address the problem but could be much more costly and controversial.

“Before actions are taken to change the existing fishery, we need to determine what we want to achieve and that there is public support for it,” said Tim Bailey, ODFW’s La Grande District Fish Biologist. “This is the public’s fishery and we want to know what the public is thinking about Phillips Reservoir.”

In order to get public opinion about the current fishery and a sense of what kind of fishery is desired at Phillips Reservoir, ODFW is conducting a survey of anglers throughout the region. “We hope the survey will provide information about what anglers want at Phillips so detailed goals and objectives can be developed to achieve that target”, said Bailey. “Then, ODFW can begin to make serious plans for restoration.”

“There isn’t a quick fix to remedy the fishery problem at Phillips”, said Bailey. “Whatever target is chosen for the reservoir, getting there is going to be costly in both time and money. Funding for a restoration effort at Phillips is just not sitting in my desk drawer; we are going to have to seek it out. We’re most likely to get funding if we have a well developed plan with strong public support.”

The angler survey is ODFW’s first step in setting a new course at Phillips Reservoir. Anybody wanting to participate in the survey can find them at local license and tag vendors, at several locations around the reservoir or on ODFW’s website at www.dfw.state.or.us under “What’s New.” For more information contact Bailey at (541) 962-1829.