Officials To Zap Lake Trout In Swan Lake

Officials say a three-year study to determine if lake trout embryos in Swan Lake can be killed by sending an electric current through the water in selected areas will begin immediately following the completion of an environmental assessment on the plan.

Officials say the completion of the assessment on Friday allows work to start that will continue through November to find out if the method can reduce the population of non-native lake trout.

The study is estimated to cost up to $96,000 annually with initial money coming from the Bonneville Power Administration and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Swan Lake contains one of the state's most robust populations of bull trout, and officials want to eliminate lake trout.

Associated Press