More places receiving lake trout

[BearLakeFishGuy]

Kory pointed out that lake trout are being stocked in more bodies of water.  I was pleased to see that there will be a few more places closer than Bear Lake (not the lake trout fishery that it once was), Flaming Gorge and Fish Lake that would have lake trout, where I could fish from my boat.  I am curious if the recently planted lake trout are sterile and question why they were planted in Hobbs Reservoir.  I sent an email, to Chris Penne, asking for clarification on those two issues.

Kent,
The lake trout fishery at Bear Lake was artificially high in the late 1990's and early 2000's due to stocking of way too many lake trout.  The entire Bear Lake fishery management plan discussed this in 2009 and then again in 2015 or 16.  The focus of the fishery on Bear Lake will be geared towards native fish, cutthroat trout, whitefish, cisco).  UDWR and USU studied lake trout interactions with cutthroat in Bear Lake and, big surprise, they compete with each other.  The UDWR pushed to keep lake trout stocking but at levels where they will be managed as a trophy fish in the Bear Lake, but the native cutthroat trout population will be emphasized.  People, including yourself, continue to hammer UDWR on why lake trout numbers are lower than 10-20 years ago.  There were several public meetings where all of this was discussed with the public and the outcome of those meetings drove the direction of the fisheries management in Bear Lake.  Lake trout are not native to the western US and have caused many serious problems in just about all of the states and lakes where they are found.  See an article entitled "Western Lake Trout Woes" for more info. which covered just about all the major lake trout waters in the western USA.  Bear Lake was very lucky that lake trout did not decimate the native cutthroat, whitefish or cisco found in Bear Lake.  The research/modelling that was done showed that Bear Lake could sustain lake trout, but at lower levels, which would then allow the cutthroat numbers to increase and thrive.  That is what we have been seeing the last 5 years or so.  In addition, the states now stock only sterile lake trout (triploid) to ensure there is no significant reproduction that cannot be controlled by managment.  Not everyone will agree with the UDWR's management plan for Bear Lake.....ever....... But the public will once again have the opportunity to provide their input in the future.  I think the UT/ID agencies will begin updating the Bear Lake Fisheries Management plan in the next year or two and there will be public meetings to explain things and receive public input.