With the opening of Pyramid Lake Fishing Season this month, we’re reviewing the amazing re-introduction and resurgence of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, first described in our blog of May 2013.  Local anglers are predicting another season of catching record size trout, but do you know “The Greatest Fish Story Ever Told”?

 

Northern Nevada anglers are well aware of the 20 pound plus Cutthroats that have been caught over the few fishing seasons at Pyramid Lake…..but the story of the native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) will likely continue to gain attention from across the country.

The history and survival of the LCT is amazing, due in large part to the efforts of our Native American Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service……..

 

As early as 1844, John C. Fremont is documented as the first European to discover Pyramid Lake. http://www.nevadaoutdoorschool.org/InterpretiveKits/PLPT/PLPTJohnCFremont.pdf

 

Fremont additionally is credited for discovering the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe, the water source for Pyramid Lake.   Fremont made reference to the LCT in the Truckee, describing the abundance and size of the species.

 

After European discovery of the Truckee River, commercial logging of timber in the area ensued, resulting in mill debris being discharged into the Truckee. This, along with commercial over-fishing, and the introduction of non-native fish species into the waterways created a dramatic negative effect on the LCT species.

 

In 1903, the Newlands reclamation project led to the construction of the Derby Dam on the Truckee River for agricultural purposes, ultimately creating a significant decrease in water flow to Pyramid Lake.

 

By 1938, the last observed spawning of LCT was observed in the tributaries; the LCT strain was deemed extinct by the mid-1940’s.   http://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_species/fish/documents/lct/final_trit.pdf

 

In the late 1970’s, an angler discovered fish that closely resembled the original LCT in a small stream at “Pilot Peak” on the Nevada-Utah border, and specimens of the newly discovered fish were sent to fish biologists.   As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Lahontan National Fishery, has conducted spawning of the LCT strain found at Pilot Peak over the past fifteen years . http://www.fws.gov/lahontannfhc/lnfh.html

 

In coordination with Pyramid Lake Fish Hatcheries, the USFWS provides LCT for Pyramid Lake.  Pyramid Lake Fish Hatcheries coordinates these efforts, along with maintaining and enhancing the fish population for native peoples and visitors.  http://www.pyramidlakefisheries.org/about.html

 

In 2005, biologists were able to compare DNA specimens of the Pilot Peak strain with museum specimens strains of LCT from the the Truckee River System taken between 1872-1911.   In an exciting discovery, the biologists determined the Pilot Peak strain to be a genetic match to the original LCT……

 

So what does this all mean to Nevada anglers? The LCT are well on their way to becoming known as the biggest catch in the country, with some USFWS officials indicating the trout are growing at a rate of a half inch per month, and are long living-up to 15 or 20 years (Source: Reno Gazette Journal).

 

Nevada Outdoorsman Unlimited has had inquiries regarding the “Pyramid Big Ones” from as far away as Texas……..meaning great exposure for our State’s gem, Pyramid Lake, and of course, the astounding story of our native fish species.

 

We would like to recognize the efforts of USFWS officials, as well as Pyramid Lake Fisheries and the native people of Pyramid Lake for the most amazing “Fish Story” that can be told, the re-emergence of our native Lahontan Cutthroat Trout!