Cutthroat enemy: Dreaded lake trout
By Karl Licis Special to The Denver Post
The decline in Yellowstone cutthroats is a serious concern, and efforts to restore the natives by several governmental agencies and the private sector are underway.
"They're the only indigenous trout in the region; they've been there for thousands of years," said Dave Sweet, chairman of the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited, who recently made a presentation to the Cutthroat Chapter of TU in Denver to raise awareness of the decline.
"They're such an integral part of the national park that losing them would be a tragedy," Sweet said.
While the origin of the lake trout is unknown, the consequences have been unmistakable. The lake-trout population has exploded while the cutthroats have been devastated.