Yellowstone Lake Trout

An interesting side note to the lake trout and the effects of decreased cutthroat numbers. A biologist spent 2 years trying to determine why the elk population was in a steep decline. It was originally believe the wolf population was the culprit. As it turns out the lack of fish in the spawning streams is a far bigger factor.
The grizzly's coming out of hibernation use to get their protein requirements eating the spawning cuts. But because the numbers of fish was greatly reduced they turned to elk calves for their dietary needs.

Dave

Just a thought.

Read where they have had success with covering the spawning grounds with dead fish. I wonder if that could be expanded on by covering the places they spawn with a fine layer of material. Come in after the spawn and spread some kind of dirt to choke out the eggs.

Seems to me that this would be a more effective method of covering the spawning areas. Just a thought. I think I'll try to contact them with this suggestion. Contact info?

jeff bandy said:

Just a thought.

Read where they have had success with covering the spawning grounds with dead fish. I wonder if that could be expanded on by covering the places they spawn with a fine layer of material. Come in after the spawn and spread some kind of dirt to choke out the eggs.

Seems to me that this would be a more effective method of covering the spawning areas. Just a thought. I think I'll try to contact them with this suggestion. Contact info?

Click to expand...

They have the fish carcasses and they were dumping them back in the lake anyway. So it's just a matter of where they dump them in order to have their rotting consume dissolved oxygen, and hence kill the eggs.

I suspect the active consumption of oxygen by rotting biomass is most effective. They tried tarp barriers without success.

Jay

jeff bandy said:

Just a thought.

Read where they have had success with covering the spawning grounds with dead fish. I wonder if that could be expanded on by covering the places they spawn with a fine layer of material. Come in after the spawn and spread some kind of dirt to choke out the eggs.

Seems to me that this would be a more effective method of covering the spawning areas. Just a thought. I think I'll try to contact them with this suggestion. Contact info?

Click to expand...

If enough material were applied I bet this would work but I also bet there are some folks who might have an issue with discharging material or "fill" into the lake.

Matt B said:

If enough material were applied I bet this would work but I also bet there are some folks who might have an issue with discharging material or "fill" into the lake.

Click to expand...

I'm sure they could find some clean soil from right there in the park.