Grand Teton Fishing - Native Fish Conservation

NATIVE FISH CONSERVATION

RESTORING AND CONSERVING NATIVE FISH HABITAT

This initiative focuses on studying the life histories of native fish in the Snake River, alpine lakes, and associated waterways in Grand Teton and applying that knowledge to targeted habitat restoration projects throughout the park. The park’s only native trout—Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout—is subjected to many stressors, including culverts and other impediments to fish passage, competition with several nonnative species of trout, and warming stream temperatures. In 2022, GTNPF funds will be used to continue examinations of how fish use Ditch Creek since a 2017 GTNPF-funded project restored fish passage in the creek.

Grand Teton Fishing - Native Fish Conservation
The park’s fisheries biologist monitors activity at the video weir in a spring creek that feeds into the Snake River in Grand Teton.

Prior to this project, fish passage to historic cutthroat trout spawning areas had been blocked by culverts and other obstructions for fifty-seven years. Funding in 2022 will also enable park fisheries staff to conduct a census of spawning cutthroat using a video weir. This will expand understanding of the dynamics, threats, and challenges the park's native aquatic fauna face. In addition to GTNPF support, the park will continue to leverage outside funding to work on cooperative projects with Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Trout Unlimited, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Posts About This Initiative

Adventure Journal: Fly Fishing in Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park is a world-renowned fly-fishing destination due to its pristine waterways that provide incredible habitat for several species of fish, including the Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout. The Wild and Scenic Snake River flows from its headwaters ...

VIDEO: Restoring Fish Passage in Ditch Creek

Ditch Creek: Restoring Fish Passage from GTNP Foundation on Vimeo. A variety of human developments spanning more than 100 years have effected fish passage in a small but important Snake River tributary in Grand Teton. With support from the Foundation, ...

Adventure Journal: Ice Fishing in GTNP

Looking for a different winter outdoor activity? Bundle up and head out to Grand Teton National Park to go ice fishing! The most common and popular spots for winter anglers are Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, and Phelps Lake. Jackson Lake ...
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