Conflicts Between Native Fish Conservation and Non-Native Lake Trout Sport Fisheries: Historical Perspectives of Two Large, Natural Oligotrophic Lakes, Lake Tahoe and Bear Lake

As lake trout Salvelinus namaycush have simultaneously declined or been extirpated in their native range and have been successfully introduced elsewhere, a significant discrepancy in the management of lake trout populations has emerged.  Lake Tahoe, CA - NV and Bear Lake, UT - ID are both large, natural, oligotrophic lakes that were formerly home to a suite of native, endemic fishes.  In both cases, lake trout were introduced as an alternative sport fish to the native trout.  Lake trout reproduce naturally in Lake Tahoe, but never naturalized in Bear Lake, to the benefit of the remaining endemic fishes.  Despite the potential and documented threats to native fishes, lake trout are managed as part of both of these ecosystems due to their popularity with anglers.  In Lake Tahoe, coupled with a vocal charter-boat angling interest, lake trout have likely altered the pelagic food-web structure beyond restoration.  In Bear Lake, lake trout continue to be stocked as natural recruitment is deemed limited.  Nonetheless, both lakes are natural and beautiful and some argue should remain icons of natural biodiversity.  These case studies offer insight into the unintended consequences and complexities of managing natural lakes purposefully stocked with and established by exotic lake trout.