The status of fish populations and management of high mountain lakes in the western United States

Bahls, Peter

Fish stocking of mountain lakes in the western contiguous United States is a topic of increasing ecological concern and public debate. A synthesis of available information is needed to assess the diversity of stocking programs employed and their large-scale ecological implications. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the status of fish populations and management of high mountain lakes in the western U.S. based on interviews of state fishery managers in each of 43 regions in 11 states. The managers estimated that more than 95 percent of about 16,000 lakes were naturally fishless prior to stocking. Presently, about 60 percent of the total number of lakes and 95 percent of the deeper lakes (>3 m) and larger (>2ha) lakes contain trout. Seventy-five percent of the lakes with fish are regularly stocked, including an estimated one-third that may have wild (self-sustaining) fish populations. Most regions manage mountain lakes fisheries with little survey or research data on which to base stocking programs. Few managers consider the health of indigenous trout populations, other aquatic species, lake ecosystems or the concerns of affected recreational users when conducting stocking programs. Intensive, on-going and largely indiscriminant stocking of lakes in most mountainous regions in the western U.S. may be causing large-scale degradation to aquatic ecosystems, indigenous fish, invertebrates, amphibian fauna and potential quality fisheries. Some management regions have expanded lake surveys and reduced stocking efforts to protect native and wild trout populations, quality fisheries, and pristine fishless lakes.

The status of fish populations and management of high mountain lakes in the western United States

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