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I believe the actual study found that the lack of spawning cutthroat changed the prey base for grizzlies from trout to calf elk. They hypothesized that this shift impacted the elk, but there was never any suggestion that it was the main or only cause of the decline in the elk population in that segment of the park.
There is a experiment going on right now with kokanee, to see if they are less predated upon by walleye, and also the g&f is attempting to establish an alternative source for kokanee stock is a couple lakes other than the gorge.This, in my uneducated opinion would be a great fish for the deep cold clear waters of Desmet , in addition to the upper north platte reservoirs . For a food source for predatory fish and anglers alike .(not to mention the economic impacts)I really hope beyond hope that the kokanne project yields positive results .
Same amount it would cost to grow trophy, illegally introduced walleye