In an effort to help the Flaming Gorge fishery, anglers are being asked to keep any lake trout under 25 inches in length caught at the reservoir. The reason is simple. If the population of smaller lake trout is not reduced, the salmon and rainbow trout populations will suffer. “In the 1990s, an 8-year-old lake trout was about 30 inches long,” explains DWR Flaming Gorge Lead Fisheries Biologist Ryan Mosley. “Today, an 8-year-old fish is about 23 inches long. On top of the decreased length, the number of small lake trout in the reservoir has increased, and we’re concerned the situation is going to get worse. We’re managing for a balanced fishery of predators and prey, and currently, there are too many predators. Reducing the number of small lake trout now will mean healthier lake trout in the future, while also increasing the survival of trout and salmon that are highly sought after by anglers. They’re already growing slower and unless we can ‘thin the herd,’ it will only get worse.” Mosley also explains that the smaller lake trout are tasty. Anglers are encouraged to hit Flaming Gorge and target the smaller lake trout for the good of the fishery.
