CUTTHROAT TROUT RESTORATION CONTINUES

CUTTHROAT TROUT RESTORATION CONTINUES WITH LABARGE CREEK TREATMENT AUG. 9-20

PINEDALE – The Game and Fish Department will be intensively removing nonnative fish species from LaBarge Creek from Aug. 9-20 and is encouraging anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to avoid the area during that time.

The G&F is in the fourth year of a project to restore the native Colorado River cutthroat trout in the LaBarge Creek watershed. LaBarge Creek is a tributary in the upper Green River system that encompasses over 200 stream miles of water-related recreational opportunities. The project area includes 58 stream miles located on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Colorado River cutthroat trout populations will be restored within their historic range in LaBarge Creek, where they can persist and be managed without continual competition and hybridization from nonnative fish species.  The plan calls to remove nonnative trout species within the upper headwaters of LaBarge Creek. Once nonnatives have been removed, a self-sustaining Colorado River cutthroat trout population can be established.

To date, nonnative fish species have been removed from several tributaries of LaBarge Creek.  In the next few weeks, fish managers will be treating the upper 27 stream miles of LaBarge Creek.  This will be done using two piscicides – chemicals that kill fish -- primarily antimycin and some rotenone.  These chemicals have been used successfully in many stream restoration efforts and have proven highly effective at removing unwanted fish species from aquatic systems.

The entire project will continue for three years with projected plans to restock with native cutthroat trout, as well as other native fish species, by the year 2007.

As a reminder, LaBarge Creek should be considered closed to all water activities during the treatment period from Aug. 9-20.  If you were planning to recreate in the LaBarge Creek watershed during this time period, please consider an alternate location.  A few suggestions would be to camp and fish in the nearby South Piney or Smith’s Fork drainages.  For more information about the Colorado River cutthroat trout restoration project on LaBarge Creek, or for suggestions of alternate recreational locations, please contact Hilda Sexauer, G&F fisheries supervisor in Pinedale or Disney Brunette, office manager (800) 452-9107 or (307) 367-4347. G&F personnel will also be available on site during the treatment.