Fish stocked by helicopter in Snowy Range

Fish stocked by helicopter in Snowy Range 

LARAMIE - The Wyoming Game and Fish Department used a helicopter to stock several Snowy Range alpine lakes with trout on August 7. A helicopter is the preferred choice for alpine lake fish stocking as it provides easier access to the lakes and is less stressful for the fish. Fish can be stocked in just minutes using a helicopter, resulting in a high survival rate.

Helicopter stocking is normally conducted in even numbered years in the Snowy Range. Small fingerlings are stocked to allow the helicopter to handle the largest possible number of fish. The following lakes were stocked in the Libby Flats area of the Medicine Bow National Forest:

Bear lake: golden trout
South Gap: Bear River cutthroat trout and rainbow trout
East Glacier Lake: Bear River cutthroat trout
Golden Lake: Bear River cutthroat trout
Shelf Lake #1: golden trout
Shelf Lake #2: golden trout
Albany South Twin Lake: Bear River cutthroat trout

Alpine lakes in the Snowy Range are highly scenic areas requiring anglers to hike to most of them. Many of Wyoming's high country lakes are not capable of supporting a reproductive population of fish. Therefore, it becomes necessary to periodically stock these lakes to provide an adequate fishery for backcountry anglers.

~WGFD~