 | | Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, are decimating the native Yellowstone |
| | Cutthroat Trout Population.
|
 | | Gill netting in Yellowstone National Park has removed over 450,000 Lake Trout over the past 15 |
| | years (73,000 in 2007; 76,000 in 2008; and over 100,000 in 2009).
|
 | | Over $4,000,000 has been spent on this valiant effort.
|
 | | Yet the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout population has declined to 10% or less of its former level.
|
 | | The Yellowstone Cutthroat is in trouble throughout its range. It now occupies less than 43% of its |
| | historic range and is threatened by non-native species in many of the remaining watersheds.
|
 | | Lake Trout are a growing problem in at least 14 other western waters, including Lake Pend |
| | Oreille, Flaming Gorge, Flathead Lake, and others.
|
 | | There must be a better way to reduce Lake Trout populations and help the Yellowstone Cutthroat |
| | in Yellowstone Lake and other western waters.
|
 | | Trout Unlimited, the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the US Geological |
| | Survey are partnering to fund a research effort by Montana State University/USGS/USFWS to investigate and develop alternative methods to reduce or eliminate the Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake.
|
 | | This 4-year research effort is now underway will cost in excess of $400,000. |
| | |