Philips Reservoir was once a vibrant trout fishery destination in the seventies and eighties.  But twenty years ago someone released perch into the reservoir.  The fish have thrived, taking away food from other species.

Tim Bailey, fish biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, says trout stocking hasn’t solved the problem, but removing the perch raises other issues...

Bailey:  "They're a game fish so we can't dispose of them, we can't waste them, and they also can't be sold so we need to find some way for them to be utilized but not on a profit.  One of the ideas is to give them to local farmers for fertilizer."

Bailey advocates netting the fish.  Rotenone has been used to poison fish at Diamond Lake, though it was costly and time consuming.  Bailey will be speaking at the public meeting Tuesday night.  It takes place at 7 pm at the Blue Mountain Conference Center in La Grande. Proposals will be compiled into a report issued in the Fall, with legislation to follow in the Spring.