Beavers vs. Trout Streams

by

Jeremy St.Arnold

 

         First the fur trade, now this? It's almost as if there has been a vendetta against the beaver population this area, especially Wisconsin. Trout streams and trout anglers have brought beavers back into the spotlight, one they haven’t seen since the fur trade. The fur trade, sparked by the European markets' demand for the beaver pelt hats and garments, marked the first wave of beaver eradication. Beavers were hunted and trapped extensively for their pelts, to the brink of extinction. Since the fur trade has become but a fraction of what it once was in this state, the beaver population has made a comeback, especially in the northern half of the state. Now that they are back in numbers that are noticeable, it seems that once again they are being targeted. This time they aren't being targeted for their pelts. They are being targeted because their skills as damming experts and loggers are not desirable in many areas. What is ultimately favored by the public are the trout streams which are in great demand from trout anglers. People are very excited about fishing trout, especially Rainbow trout and native Brook trout. The money generated from anglers far outweighs that generated from hunting and trapping of beavers.

            Surprisingly enough, the trout and trout anglers and their revenue have won out over the giant rodents known as beavers. Ultimately trout streams and anglers bring in more revenue and do not create flooding damage or harvest trees near water sources. Beavers that dam up trout streams  or create undesirable flooded areas are having their dams destroyed. They are then either being shot, or trapped and relocated. It cannot be argued that the beaver populations in the northern part of the state have been increasing and have led to property damage from stream damming and diversion. However, beavers are a native animal and we go out of our way to reintroduce other native animals and eradicate invasive ones. The "pest" in question, the beavers, are really the traditional "architects" of the waterways. They traditionally create wetlands as well as ponds.  Wetlands are very valuable in this state, as they attract a myriad of wildlife: including: waterfowl and migratory birds. It seems that an animal with so important a job ecologically could find a niche in our local ecosystem. 

            As far as the trout are concerned, the beaver dams aren't a death sentence. The dams certainly reduce the quality of trout habitat, but only in the fishing context. Trout will still live in the stream, but likely not the larger trout that are preferred by anglers.  The beavers and trout coexisted before human management of the resources began, but now all of a sudden we refuse to believe the two can find a way to coexist? It seems more likely that we do not take kindly to manipulation of our waterways by anyone other than us.

            Lastly, I enjoy trout fishing and love to see healthy trout streams. However, I do not know that going after the beaver population with prejudice once again is necessarily the thing to do. Is it possible for people and beavers to continue coexist? It seems that while the popularity of living close to water and trout fishing remain high, the beaver is going to continue to be viewed as a pest which will make it tough. I think we need find a way to utilize the beaver population and their unique skill set in a way that makes them valued by the public . At the very least we can continue to minimize damage done by continued relocation of problem anima