Management of high-country lakes in the National Parks of California

Wallis, Orthello

Hundreds of lakes, located within Yosemite, Sequoia Kings Canyon, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks in California, were originally barren of fish life. Over the past century trouts of various species have been introduced into many of them. In some lakes, and in the streams, the trouts maintain populations by natural reproduction: in others trouts can be sustained only by stocking. Periodic planting of trouts have been conducted for many years to provide for recreational fishing. Studies in the Parks have provided for the management of these resources. Recently-approved National Park Service Policy reaffirms that recreational angling is an appropriate visitor-use activity in Park waters, but that trout populations will no longer be sustained by artificial stocking. Fishing will be totally dependent upon trouts that are maintained entirely by natural reproduction. An exception to this general policy for the National Parks in California has been denied. However, the Service will participate in a two-year study with the California Department of Fish and Game to determine the biological, social, recreational, and economic impact of a no-stocking rule in California. During the two-year study period a trout-stocking program in the National Parks of California will be conducted at the 1974 level.