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Lake Tahoe Stocking Cutthrout this Summer

Nevada Fishing Articles, Regional Fishing, United States Fishing Articles |

For the first time in more than 35 years, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) will be stocking Lake Tahoe with Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT), the only trout species native to the Basin.

Over the course of the next few months, approximately 22,000 LCT will be planted in Lake Tahoe.

In response to a growing interest in the Tahoe area for the restoration of native species, an interagency team was created to explore opportunities to restore LCT to the Basin. The team, consisting of biologists from NDOW, California Department of Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, among others, identified NDOW’s stocking efforts at Lake Tahoe as an opportunity to provide anglers with the chance to catch native Lahontan cutthroat trout.

“Our goal is to provide some variety in the sport fishing opportunities at Lake Tahoe,” said Kim Tisdale, the Western Region Supervising Fisheries Biologist at NDOW. “Traditionally, rainbow trout have been stocked to support recreational fishing during the summer months; cutthroat trout will give those fishing at Lake Tahoe a chance to catch a native trout which hasn’t been available in those waters for a long time.”

The cutthroat trout were raised for over a year at NDOW’s Mason Valley Hatchery and will be approximately nine inches in length when stocked. This plant in Lake Tahoe is experimental and staff will evaluate their performance in the lake as well as angler satisfaction with Lahontan cutthroat trout.

“It will be interesting to see how the cutthroat fare in Lake Tahoe and how anglers respond to them as it’s been decades since we have stocked this native fish,” said Tisdale.

To purchase a fishing license or find a license agent location, visit www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.

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