Walleye invasion threatens Utah's premier trout fishery

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the potential ecological impact of walleye being discovered in Strawberry Reservoir, a site traditionally managed as a premier trout fishery in Utah. The revelation came after a local angler captured a walleye and documented the event with a GoPro camera, prompting officials to take the report seriously and investigate further.

Alan, a fisheries manager, expressed concerns that the introduction of walleye could disrupt the existing trout population, particularly kokanee and cutthroat trout, which rely on natural reproduction. He noted that a survey conducted during the last management plan indicated that 83% of anglers opposed introducing other species into the reservoir, with only 2% supporting the addition of walleye.

To address the situation, officials are implementing a multi-faceted approach to monitor and manage the walleye presence. This includes outreach efforts encouraging anglers to report any walleye catches and to kill the fish to prevent further reproduction. Plans are underway for environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect walleye DNA in the water, particularly during the spawning season when DNA is more likely to be present. The proposed budget for these efforts includes $85,100 for eDNA sampling kits and analysis, as well as funding for specialized nets and light traps to capture walleye and their larvae.

Additionally, the team is seeking $28,100 for personnel support to assist with the increased workload during the busy sampling period. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ramp up monitoring efforts in the upcoming fiscal year to ensure the health of Strawberry Reservoir's fishery remains intact.