Lower Kootenai River Burbot Considered for Protection Under Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will conduct a formal review of burbot (lota lota) found in the lower Kootenai River to determine whether that population of the fish should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

This review is being conducted in response to a petition filed by American Wildlands and the Idaho Conservation League. The Service determined that the petition contained sufficient information indicating that burbot in the lower Kootenai may require listing. Under the Act, the Service now will conduct a complete review including evaluating information submitted by the public.

Specifically, the Service will evaluate the burbot population that spawns in winter in north Idaho