Goose Lake is located in the Lower Geyser Basin, along the Fairy Falls
Trail south of Fountain Flat Drive.
Decades ago, it and two other nearby lakes were stocked with non-native
Rainbow trout. Their presence has contributed to a decline in native trout
in park lakes, rivers and streams. Rainbow trout can breed with cutthroat
trout and produce hybrid trout which are also considered a non-native
species.
As part of Yellowstone’s Native Fish Conservation Plan and Environmental
Assessment which was approved in May, this week biologists will introduce a
fish toxin into the three lakes to remove the non-native Rainbow trout.
The project will not impact the nearby Firehole River.
While the chemical Rotenone will be introduced in small quantities,
visitors are advised not to swim in or drink from the three lakes now
through Oct. 15. Warning signs will be posted at all areas treated with
the chemical.
Next year, the park will reintroduce genetically-pure native Westslope
cutthroat trout to the three lakes. The long term plan, in addition to
restoring this native species to a portion of its native habitat, is for
these lakes to provide a brood stock population of the native fish for
future restoration efforts.
More information on the park’s Native Fish Conservation Plan can be found
online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=30504.
