Trout Creek Fish Screen
Trout Creek is one of the primary
Yellowstone Cutthroat spawning
tributaries for the North Fork of the
Shoshone River. Four irrigation
systems originate on Trout Creek
and hundreds, if not thousands, of
fish are entrained into these
irrigation canals and lost to the
aquatic system. TU has
accomplished the purchase of one
stainless steel, rotating drum for
one small creek, saving hundreds
of fish each irrigation season.
Placing a structure like this at
every headgate would cost
millions.
Trout Creek is one of the primary
Yellowstone Cutthroat spawning
tributaries for the North Fork of the
Shoshone River. Four irrigation
systems originate on Trout Creek
and hundreds, if not thousands, of
fish are entrained into these
irrigation canals and lost to the
aquatic system. TU has
accomplished the purchase of one
stainless steel, rotating drum for
one small creek, saving hundreds
of fish each irrigation season.
Placing a structure like this at
every headgate would cost
millions.
A Better Idea-
Prevent Fish from Entering the Irrigation System
Prevent Fish from Entering the Irrigation System
Fish Rescue
A month-long, labor intensive, electro-shock,
canal-to-tank truck, process. And the fish
are released back into their home water.
Local FFA students volunteer to help TU
members. Coordinated with irrigation
districts and landowners, this massive
community effort saves a fraction of the
trout which find their way into the irrigation
canals.
Trout Rescue Video
A month-long, labor intensive, electro-shock,
canal-to-tank truck, process. And the fish
are released back into their home water.
Local FFA students volunteer to help TU
members. Coordinated with irrigation
districts and landowners, this massive
community effort saves a fraction of the
trout which find their way into the irrigation
canals.
Trout Rescue Video
Take care of the fish, and the fishing will take care of itself.
| If we don't get to them in time, they don't have a chance. Recent studies by Wyoming Game & Fish show 50,000 fish entered Cody Canal, from 9 species, and 7,300 were trout. Many fish are taken by predators as the water recedes, but we are only able to rescue between 1-10% each fall. |
How to help:
- Volunteer to rescue fish in October and November as irrigation water is shut off to
canals. Watch our calendar page. - Get certified, it's free. Online course, Backpack Electrofishing Certification.
- Foster cooperation with landowners and irrigation districts.
- Support the local Buffalo Bill Chapter of the Future Farmer’s of America. These
students and their teacher volunteer at our fish rescue, and we donate to their
scholarship program. Attend their spring Steak Fry! - Seek out grant money for more fish screens like the one on Trout Creek.
Copyright 2010 East Yellowstone Chapter Trout Unlimited. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 3008, Cody, WY 82414